Paul L. Schultz, Sr.

Paul L. Schultz, Sr. was an honorable, compassionate and respectable man whose actions spoke volumes of his character. He had an admirable work ethic, a devout faith in God, and a deep sense of family. Paul was continually guided by these strong values that helped him make a lasting and positive impression on all the lives he touched. He was not someone consumed by material gains in life, but by the satisfaction of putting his family first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. Under the leadership of President Warren G. Harding, America entered the 1920s with confidence. The politics of the time were as turbulent as ever, yet industry had made the U.S. economy surge. The decade would be forever remembered for its carefree lifestyle. Louis Schultz and his wife, Olga (Schauer), were far removed from these things that characterized the 1920s. They lived a modest life in Fruitport, Michigan on their 80-acre farm on Farr Road, where they raised livestock and harvested corn. It was here at home that the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Paul Louis Schultz, on April 8, 1923. Paul had several brothers and sisters, but because of diseases and farming accidents, some died at a very young age. Growing up on a farm meant that as soon as one was old enough, they were expected to pitch in with daily chores. It was no different for Paul. He would bring in the livestock from the fields, sometimes in his bare feet in the cold of winter, and once, he cut his foot half off while using a sickle cutting corn. When he got some time to play, Paul did typical boy things with his friends next door. Like most boys of the time, Paul attended the Fruitport schools until the 8th grade, and then worked full-time on the farm. Sundays were always their day of rest, and his mom made delicious dinners for them; she was quite a cook. Sadly, his mom died of cancer when he was only 13, leaving the family truly devastated. Paul met the love of his life, Sophie Violet Kuzniar, at a box social, where the girls made box lunches and the boys bid on them, and then ate lunch with whoevers box it was. Lucky for Paul, he got Sophies box, and they quickly became close friends. The two began dating and would walk to Fruitport to go roller skating or to a movie and then enjoy some ice cream before heading home. Their friendship blossomed into romance and Paul and Sophie were soon planning a life together. On June 6, 1942, a stifling hot day, the two were happily married in his sisters small house with 300 guests wishing them well. It wasnt possible for the newlyweds to take a honeymoon just yet, so they settled into a house they rented from Sophies sister Elsie and her husband, Emery. At the time, Paul was working at Ottawa Steel, and later worked at Continental Motors and Farr View Dairy. Around 1945, Paul began building their first home, putting the basement in with a team of horses and a scraper box. They lived in the basement for 5 years until the rest of the house was completed in 1950. Finally, after being married for 6 years, Paul and Sophie took a honeymoon and went to Niagara Falls. It wasnt long after that the couple decided to start their family and adopted a 12 week old baby girl named Arlene in 1953. A year later, their son, Paul Jr. was born, and in 1961, they completed their family with the birth of their second son, Ken. Paul was so very proud of his family, and worked hard every day to provide and care for them. Shortly after their house was done, Paul set out on a new business venture and started his own company called Paul Schultz Truck, Crane and Dozer Service (later called Paul Schultz Trucking & Excavation). One of his very first jobs was digging the basement for the first house in Roosevelt Park. Paul retired in 1988, when he could no longer climb the ladder of the loader because of his knees. However, he kept a close eye on things from the shop with his binoculars! Although Paul worked hard to make his business a success, he always made time for family. He and Sophie took the kids up north every summer to a place between Indian River and the Mackinac Bridge with friends, and they also spent time at a cabin on a lake owned by Wagners Transport. In later years, Paul and Sophie enjoyed traveling with good friends, Paul and Donna Balavitch, taking various trips to Florida, Mt. Rushmore, Spain, among others. Christmas was a traditional holiday in the Schultz household where they enjoyed time with both sides of the family. Paul was known to be pretty laid-back in nature and rarely got riled up, not even when his son Ken drove the Jeep with no brakes through the garage door. He had a firm yet gentle hand, worked hard but was the first to offer help to someone in need. Paul was a stickler too for long established routines, like Friday night steak dinners and Sundays they went for Mills Ice Cream. He and Sophie enjoyed going to the Fruitport Pavilion to hear the Big Bands play, and they were faithful members of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Nunica since 1958. Paul liked to stay active hunting, golfing and bowling, and was a member of the Fruitport Lions and Muskegon Elks. To those Paul knew and loved, he leaves a legacy of strength, character and tremendous love. He will be dearly missed. Paul L. Schultz, age 89, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, December 27, 2012. He is survived by his sons, Paul Jr. (Linda), Ken (Penny); daughter, Arlene (Paul Kittell) Schultz, all of Fruitport; grandchildren, Stacey (Paul) Lindale, Paul III (Mari) Schultz, Amy (Jim) Boeve, Greg (Nikki) Schultz, Kurt Schultz, Keri (Brian) Meister, Ken (Kristi) Schultz Jr., Kevin (Samantha Nestell) Schultz, Kody Schultz, Kelsie Schultz; great grandchildren, Hallie, Carter, Reagan, Barrett, Brady, Hunter, Mackenzie, Aubree; and sister, Lydia Reynolds of Norton Shores. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie, in July, 2009; several brothers & sisters. Services will be on Monday, December 31, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church of Nunica with Rev. William C. Lahrman officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Visitation is on Sunday, December 30, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Fruitport, and on Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at St. Luke Lutheran Church of Nunica. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church Building Fund. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.