Michael "Mike" Paul

Michael “Mike” Paul, 66 of St. Peter, passed away December 16, 2015 in Mesa AZ. Memorial service is 12:00 noon Thursday, January 7, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Memorials may be given to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Michael Ross was born on January 16, 1949 in St. Peter to E. Harold and Leone (Lindberg) Paul. He attended and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1967 and later joined the US Navy where he was an airplane mechanic on an aircraft carrier. Mike was united in marriage to Susan Marie DeSmet on September 6, 1969 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota and they made their home in St. Peter. Mike had a love of cars since he was a child and carried that into his career. He worked for Lahrs Auto, Standard Oil and John’s Auto Body before starting Mike’s Countryside Body Shop in 1978. Although starting a business was a risk, Mike persevered, retiring in 2012 and selling his business to his nephew. Mike was a member of the St. Peter VFW and American Legion Post. Mike loved golfing, which he found challenging and frustrating, the freedom of motorcycling, camping and big campfires with family & friends, fishing, enjoying the outdoors and nature. He was known as hardworking, was witty and an optimist. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Susie; children and grandchildren: Jason with Jordan, Caden & Madden and Jessica with Alexis & Aeriel; sister, Melanie (Dennis) Davis; nephews: Kelley, Brady, Dan and Brian; niece: Kerry; and many in-laws and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Terry and Gen Paul and niece and great niece Lindi and Emma Paul.