Paul W. Schroeder

Paul W. Schroeder of Kenosha passed from his earthly home to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Paul was born on September 8, 1939 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to the late Wilmer and Eilene Schroeder. As a young child his family relocated to Kenosha, Wisconsin and was educated in Kenosha schools, graduating from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1957.

Following graduation Paul became employed in the Engineering Department of Outboard Marine Corporation in Waukegan, Illinois. He had a very strong work ethic and was a kind and considerate co-worker who was often referred to as Mr. Rogers due to his mild and caring demeanor.  While working at OMC Paul attended and graduated from the Lake Forest School of Management.  Paul’s entire career life was spent at OMC, retiring from there in 1997 after 40 years.

Paul was married to Jacqueline (Jackie) Maxey on August 1, 1959 at the Baptist Tabernacle where they met while in high school and have been married nearly 60 years. During those years he was very active in his church and was a faithful servant/leader. He used his abilities to head the building committee for the new CAC building the church was building, served as a youth leader, Sunday School teacher, Awana Commander, Sunday School Treasurer, Deacon, Mission Board Member and Moderator. Paul and Jackie later became members of Immanuel Baptist Church where he also served in various capacities.  A few years ago they became members of CrossWay Church where he felt so blessed and enjoyed worshipping with other believers and was a faithful attender and a Greeter.

Paul was a man of many interests and hobbies and was most passionate about model railroading, specifically the HO Gauge Union Pacific line. He had a very detailed train layout in his basement which continued to be a work in progress for many years.  He enjoyed his association with other train hobbyists and especially enjoyed their operating sessions at layouts in various homes.  He was also interested in planes and automobiles.  He studied a lot about planes and could tell, by sound, what kind of plane was in the air. From the time he could drive, cars were of special interest to him.  Each new model year he could be found reading all he could about the new cars and their styling and features.

Paul was a devoted and loving husband to Jackie and he enjoyed travelling with her to many states in the U.S. and quite a few European Countries. Her hobbies became of great interest to him.  As she became an avid gardener he learned about plant varieties and, most importantly, learned the difference between plants and weeds, more than once digging up something he thought was a weed when, in fact, it was a prized perennial.  He quickly learned, though, and became so involved in gardening that he encouraged Jackie to let their garden be shared with Kenosha through the Four Seasons Garden Club Secret Garden Walk.  He was jokingly referred to as an honorary member of the club because he spent so many hours working with Jackie on the club’s garden at the Kemper Center.

In addition to his wife, Jackie, Paul is survived by their two daughters: Jennifer (Scott) Hoag of Kauai, Hawaii and Julie (David) Standley of Columbus, Ohio.    He loved his family and treasured the time spent with them while they were growing up, and sharing many adventures together.  He also treasured his time with them as adults, along with their spouses.  Family was extremely important to him and he was quick to let them know that they were loved and he was proud of them.

Paul will be missed by his two brothers and their wives: Harold (Mary) Schroeder and Gary (Chris) Schroeder of Kenosha, as well as his two brothers-in-laws and their wives:  David (Sue) Maxey and James (Sharry) Maxey and many nieces and nephews.

Paul had a great sense of humor and was a kind, compassionate, faithful and loving husband, father, relative, friend, and church member and will be missed by all who knew him. We all know that he is now at home in Heaven and free from pain and suffering.