Keith Leonard Paul

Keith L. Paul, of St. Joseph, passed away in his 83rd year, surrounded by his loving family on Good Friday, April 14, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center- Stevensville.   A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Monday, April 17, 2017 at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Reverend Scott Paul-Bonham officiating. A private internment service will take place at a later date. Friends may visit with the family from 10 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lighthouse Forever Fund Caring Circle or Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   Keith was born on July 4, 1934 in London, England to Leonard & Beatrice (Hackman) Paul. He survived WWII and The Blitz air raids in London before moving to Canada. On June 20, 1959, Keith married the love of his life, Jo Ann Waller, in Dundas, Ontario. Keith was a hard-working businessman. He was a founding partner of MPH Industries along with John McCarthy and Bob Howell, the trio that revolutionized molten metal furnaces. MPH became the world’s premier manufacturer of nonferrous melting furnaces for the die casting industry. Even after immigrating to the Americas he retained pride in his English heritage. He was an excellent storyteller who loved to regale friends and family with stories, including everyone’s favorite, about the time he survived a bomb which exploded right in front of the bus he was riding. Keith emerged as one of only a few surviving passengers. Keith was a family man. He was fiercely loyal. When his brother Norman was diagnosed with cancer, Keith knew he had to make the most of their time together. They took a month long trip to Spain. Of Spain and the Spanish language Keith said, “you only need five little words to get around, ‘vino de la casa Rosa! (bring us the house red!)”’ He had a passion for the open water. He loved boating with friends and family, traveling to Florida during the winters. Keith was an excellent dancer. He enjoyed bike riding, and motorcycle riding. He was a member and Deacon of Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Keith was an incredible man who loved to share his wisdom with everyone. He is dearly missed by all his family. We are grateful to have had him in our lives.   Keith is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Jo Ann; children, Andrew and Karol Paul of St. Joseph, Donna and Scott Paul-Bonham of Terra Haute, IN, and Janis Paul of Ann Arbor; grandchildren, Madeline & Ian Paul, Andrea & Nathan Paul-Bonham, and Emma Paul and Fiancé, Adrian Lyjak; and his twin sister, Jean Wright. The family will be forever grateful to caregiver, Dawn Wiley Ives.   Keith was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Norman Paul.