Paul L. ERWAY

Paul Lawrence ERWAY, 66, of Shelbyville, KY, formerly of Coudersport, PA, died peacefully Friday, May 23, 2025 at the University of Louisville Hospital following an extended illness. 

Born October 9, 1958, in Coudersport, he was the son of Eugene F. Erway and Dorothy Buck Erway. After graduating from high school, he pursued his love of horses by earning a degree in Horse Husbandry from SUNY in Morrisville, NY. 

Life soon turned upside down for him as an automobile accident in 1980 left him with a spinal cord injury, forcing him to use his “chrome pony” for wheelchair mobility. After a period of rehabilitation and a brief attendance at Penn State University, he soon set his sights on his capabilities rather than his disabilities. His goals of self-reliance and independence connected him with a company that specialized in outfitting automobiles with accessories for handicapped customers. His many years of work in sales for Superior Van and Mobility allowed him to make many connections and showcase how increased mobility could physically and mentally benefit affected individuals. Paul was an extremely positive and faithful individual. He was well known for reaching out to friends randomly with Bible verses, inspirational messages, and jokes. 

As a paraplegic, Paul found a new path that would take him all over the United States with a new passion, wheelchair racing. Building on his racing career, he qualified and competed the Boston Marathon twice (one during the bombing) as well as two major wheelchair races overseas in Holland and Japan. His love for competing in wheelchair racing afforded him a platform as a motivational speaker at various venues such as rehab centers and hospitals across the country. This also helped him devise his glorious plan of participating in 50 marathons in 50 states over 50 weeks to raise mobility awareness. A super-aggressive idea concocted to test boundaries, Paul enlisted the help of two other wheelchair-bound friends (Grant Berthiaume and Aaron Roux) to travel together and fill in if Paul was unable to participate as he was still working full time. His goal was achieved, and he authored two books that chronicle the adventures called 50 ABILITIES, Unlimited Possibilities. 

Additionally, Paul performed a significant amount of volunteer work and was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, KY. 

Surviving are: his wife of 37 years, Barbara Anne Fasnacht Erway of Shelbyville, KY; seven siblings, Christine (Robert) Phillips of Elsa, IL, Dana (Virginia) Erway of Casa Grande, AZ, David (Kathryn) Erway of Coudersport, Edward (Mary) Erway of Lexington, KY, Peggy (James) Wilkinson of Lexington, KY, Steven (Brenda) Erway of Coudersport, and Michael (Melissa) Erway of Parrish, FL; two aunts, Rita Barnett of Grove City, OH and Doris (Dale) Nichols of Elizabethtown, PA; an uncle, Dale Erway of Genesee, PA; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Paul’s family also included his beloved canine companions, Robbie, Baxter, Dickens, and Lucy. He was predeceased by his parents. 

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Webb Funeral Home in Shelbyville, KY. 

A gathering to celebrate Paul's life will also be held on a later date in August in Coudersport, PA—time and place to be announced. Interment will be in Raymond Cemetery. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.