Paula Lucille Doland

Paula Lucille Doland, age 76 of Madison, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, July 19, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She is now forever in the arms of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Paula was born in Painesville, OH on October 1, 1949 the daughter of Thomas C. Akehurst and Anne M. (Nowakowski) Akehurst. She married Mr. Steven Edward Doland on January 13, 1973.

Paula was a devoted wife, mother, and church member and used every opportunity to extend love, joy, and service to those in her northeast Ohio community. She was particularly active in her faith and demonstrated her love for Jesus and the church by attending and serving at St. Anne’s Anglican Church of Madison and in her later faith journey at North Star Church of Perry. Ministering to local families together as a married couple, Paula and husband Steve served as funeral attendants with the Behm Family Funeral Homes, helping families celebrate and reflect on the legacy of life for loved ones. Paula was a loving mother who faithfully nurtured her children during their young years and counselled and coached them to leading families of their own. Family time and her children’s personal growth and relationship success were among her greatest joys and brought her peace and happiness. Paula was blessed with a creative spirit and many artistic talents, bringing beauty and joy to her home and to all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Steven E. Doland; daughter, Melissa (James) Sands; son, Brett (Tara) Doland; grandchildren, Matthias, Lexi, and Tian, Isla, Rossi and Hudson; brother, Thomas Akehurst; sisters, Cecily Rockhill, Neil Dixon, and Barbara Hunter. She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Family and friends will be received from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at North Star Church, 3050 Antioch Road in Perry, Ohio. Funeral Service will begin at 7:00pm at the same location immediately following the visitation. A Graveside Committal Service will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at North Madison Cemetery on Hubbard Road in Madison.

The Behm Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with services and communications with friends and families during this time. Online obituary and guestbook at https://behmfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to North Star Church in Perry, Ohio with contributions submitted to the Storehouse fund option (referencing Malachi 3:10). Online donations can be made directly to this ministry securely at https://cfcmadison.breezechms.com/give/online. The North Star mission and purpose can be reviewed at their website at https://www.northstarperry.org.

Online obituary may be found at www.behmfuneral.com