Paul Louis Staudenmaier

Paul Louis Staudenmaier passed away early Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at his home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, at the age of 72. Born Paul Louis Schaffer to Frances and William in Chicago, Paul grew up in the Lathrop Home--Chicago Housing Authority with his brothers Timothy, William, and Daniel. The four were adopted during Frances’s second marriage to Paul B. Staudenmaier and the family moved to Mount Prospect, Illinois. Paul was drafted to the U.S. Army in 1968 to serve in the Vietnam War in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade D-Company, 4th battalion, 12th infantry. During his service, Paul earned three bronze stars and the rank of sergeant, among numerous other awards for valor and bravery. After returning from Vietnam, Paul attended LaSalle University. He earned an Associates’ Degree in business and went on to become West Coast sales manager for Victor Balata Belting Company. While working in California, he met and fell in love with Julie Gross; they married in 1981. After living in California and Australia, the pair moved to East Dundee, Illinois, to set down roots. Paul started Bunn Packaging Systems and the pair had two daughters. He was a dedicated father whose most cherished times were spent with his daughters. Paul attended his daughters’ basketball games, band concerts, graduations, and other meaningful events. He took every chance available to go boating and fishing on the Fox River and was also very creative, taking on countless home improvement and yard work projects. Paul was a man of quick wit and enormous integrity who was known for helping friends and family over the years no matter the task. In 2013, Paul and Julie fulfilled their desire for warmer climes and moved south to Mississippi. Retired, Paul was able to indulge in his hobbies, but not for long. In 2017, he was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, brought on by exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. After completing the first round of treatment, the cancer returned in 2019 and eventually he lost the last battle of his life. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, his biological father, and his brother Timothy. Paul is survived by his wife Julie, his daughters Nicole (Michael) DeCuir and Robyn, and his brothers William (Sandra) and Daniel (Barb). A private memorial service will be held Thursday, May 28, 2020. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue in Biloxi, is honored to serve this family.