Paul Schuelke

Paul Daniel Schuelke was born in Anthony, Kansas on February 9, 1947 to Gail B. and Vivian Boruff Schuelke. The youngest of three children, he was raised on the family farm in Wakita with his sister, Patricia and his brother, James. Paul attended Wakita Public Schools where he met the love of his life, Eda Ayers. He graduated from Wakita High School in 1965 and moved to Oklahoma City in 1966 to attend Southwest Automotive School, graduating as an automotive technician. That same year Paul enlisted in the Kansas National Guard and attended boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 1968 Paul graduated from the GM Training Center in Oklahoma City becoming a certified GM Technician. He went on to work for Northcutt Chevrolet in Enid. Also in 1968, Paul was called up to active duty and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he attained the rank of Sergeant E5. He was a command vehicle driver and a radio operator. While stationed at Colorado Springs, Uncle Sam granted Paul enough leave to marry his life-long love. Paul and Eda were united in marriage at the Wakita Christian Church on December 21, 1968, a union that would last more than 52 years and bless them with a wonderful family. Paul’s face lit up every time he saw Eda, and they were still deeply in love until his very last breath when he went to his Heavenly home on November 19, 2021.

After discharge, Paul and Eda made their home in Fairview where Paul worked for Howard Way Chevrolet/Oldsmobile before returning to Wakita where they would make their home for the rest of their lives. While in Wakita, Paul worked for Jones Farms and the Wakita Co-op before taking over the family farm in 1978. In 1980, Paul and Eda became the owners and operators of Cash Auto Repair and in 1986, added Bum’s Hideaway. Owning these businesses were some of the happiest years of their lives.

Paul was a lifelong member of the Wakita United Methodist Church, a member of the Wakita Jaycees, a volunteer ambulance driver, a Wakita Community Health Center volunteer, and a member of the Wakita All-Sports Club. He enjoyed playing dominoes and cards, playing board games with his family (he was ruthless), watching westerns and action movies, working on cars and being in his shop, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. But his favorite thing to do, above all else, was to be by Eda’s side.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Vivian; his brother, James; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ed and Ruth Ayers, and three nephews, J. Stanley Ransom, Bryan Ransom, and Eric Green.

Paul is survived by his wife, Eda Schuelke; their children, Scott (Jonna) Schuelke, Krista (Michael) Clover, Jeff (Tara) Schuelke, and Ed (Kim) Briggs; grandchildren, James (Ania) and Joshua Ard, Jacob and Abigail Clover, Raygan Conley and McKinlee Schuelke, Kaylee Curts and Emilee Briggs; great-grandchildren, Leon Ard and Winter Curts; aunt, Betty Delay; sister, Patricia (Ruben) Castillo; sisters-in-law, Beverly Lacy, Mary Green, and Sue Jones; niece, Daisy (Jason) Warren; friend, Gary Smith and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends who will miss him very much.

Paul’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Wakita United Methodist Church, followed by a graveside service at  Wakita Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc., of Medford.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wakita Community Health Center or the Wakita Educational Foundation through the funeral home.