Paul Reidel

Paul Lewis Reidel was a kind, helpful person. His occasionally gruff exterior more often than not gave way to his softer, gentler side, playful and smiling. He loved to tease and loved to laugh, and was willing to go the extra mile for people in need.

Born on December 5, 1963, Paul entered a world that was filled with confusion, turmoil, and danger. Conflicts over racial integration and the fear of nuclear attack loomed over the United States like a storm cloud. The storm cloud burst with the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas that year, sending the nation into shock and mourning. Less than a month after Kennedy's death, Daniel and Karen (Evans) Reidel were given the precious gift of their son, Paul.

Life was not easy for Paul growing up. His father worked long hours and the family did not have the resources to offer many opportunities for achievement. Paul spent a great deal of time with his loving grandmother, a relationship he treasured. Paul learned a lot about being an outdoorsman from his grandfather. Growing up in Sebewaing, Michigan, known for its walleye fishing and the annual sugar festival, Paul had many opportunities to enjoy the outdoor activities he loved, like snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and time on Saginaw Bay.

Paul fixed car engines throughout his teenage years and was good at it. He decided to pursue it as a career. When he was seventeen, he moved to the western side of the state to attend the Michigan Technical Training Center, where he studied auto mechanics. Paul worked as a mechanic and drove a truck in order to support himself. At one time, he owned his own business, Triple J Excavating. He also worked for B & E Simpson Excavating as well as Arnsman Septic Tank Service. He was a hard worker and wanted to provide the best for his family.

Paul married Colleen Simpson on October 15, 1983. He and Colleen had three daughters. Paul remembered his struggles as a young person and wanted to make sure that his girls had sweet memories of their growing up years. He tried to discipline them, but when his daddy's girls looked up at him with their sweet eyes brimming with tears, he often opted for gentle reprimands rather than the spankings he threatened. He faithfully attended father-daughter dances and did his best to ensure that proms and homecoming dances were special days for them. He encouraged all three to go to college and was very proud of their grades at school as well as their athletic accomplishments.

Paul's love for outdoor sport stayed with him throughout his life. He liked snowmobiling at night and continued to enjoy hunting and fishing. He had his eight-point buck mounted and hung it in his living room. He took great pleasure in the peace and beauty to be found in nature and enjoyed watching and filming deer. Paul was always willing to be the "man in charge" when it came to roasting the pig at family reunions.

He was a talented mechanic and good at repairing a variety of equipment. He loved his 1955 Ford F100 pickup truck and showed it in several car shows and parades. In his opinion, nothing compared to a Ford. He also had a high performance engine that he worked on for racing purposes. Paul was an avid NASCAR fan, and enjoyed watching drag racing and wrestling on television.

Paul loved his dogs and took good care of them. He spent time playing with them and even spoiled them, regularly feeding them table food. He always made sure there was enough food for dinner so the dogs could have some.

Paul liked to help others when he could, and would often snowplow people's driveways for them when he saw that they were stuck. When his mother-in-law's husband died, he helped out on her farm, milking cows and managing things until it could be sold. His greatest expressions of love, however, were displayed in the protection and attention he provided for his daughters. Paul cherished them and he did his best to make sure that he made special memories with each one. Jackie, Jenny, and Amy were his precious girls and he wanted most of all for them to be happy and to know that they were loved.

Paul is survived by his wife, Colleen; three daughters, Jackie, Jenny, and Amy Reidel, all living at home, a daughter Danielle Burrows of Caro , Michigan, a grandchild Ayla, his mother Karen and step-father (Gerald) Nichols of Hale, Michigan; step-mother Barbara Reidel of Sebewaing; a sister, Kim (Mark) Neumann of Kingston; step-sister, Deb (Brad) New of Sebewaing; half-brothers, Dan (Trish) Reidel of Sebewaing and Mitch Donnelly of South Carolina; and step-brothers, Jim (Linda) Born of Maryland and Allan (Rommie) Born of Ohio.

Paul passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2004. He was preceded in death by his father. Paul was just forty years old.

Friends will be received on Thursday, June 10, from 2 - 4 PM and from 6 - 8 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Life Story Funeral Home Plainwell Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the same location on Friday, June 11, at 1:00 PM. To read Paul's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Paul's daughters' educational fund, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Paul leaves his dear ones with the memory of his love for them, his pride in their accomplishments, and his dreams for their future. His hopes have prepared a path for them to follow as they remember what he taught them.