Paul Andrew Near

Paul is survived by his daughter, Allison Renee Near, 16, and his siblings; brother, Gary Near and sisters, Gail Vannoller (Robert), Emilie Dasch, and Lucille Schneider (Murray); along with his nieces, Jennifer Shepherd (Colin), Kriste Warren, Tracy Wolfe (Jeff), and Larkyn Dasch . He is preceded in death by his parents; father, Jacob Hardin Near, who died in 1966, and mother, Verna (Trappany) Near, who passed in 2013.

Paul was born on April 16, 1961 in Lansing, Michigan and graduated from Sexton High School in 1979 followed by the Arizona Institute of Technology in 1983 with a degree in Electronics. He worked for several years following graduation in sunny Arizona before moving back to Michigan to help his sister in her time of need.

His family will remember him as a kind and gentle man who took great pride in his lovely daughter, their family pets and the home they shared in Mulliken, Michigan.

Paul was passionate about the environment along with conservation and abhorred the changes within his lifetime from a philosophy of repair-and-reuse to the present, discard-and-buy-new. He was a supremely talented electrician and mechanic and could be counted on to have many concurrent repair projects in flight for personal need and for family and friends. He had multiple workshops filled with the tools of his many trades including complex diagnostic equipment and libraries of reference manuals.

Paul worked for several employers over the years including MidMichigan Biomedical repairing medical equipment for area hospitals and offices. His longest position was with Phillips Pet Food in Lansing, Michigan for the last 20+ years.

As per his wishes, a funeral will not be held although there will be a graveside service for family at the Reformed Mennonite Church Cemetery in Shelby, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/ or PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741

Condolences can be sent to Allison Near at 2722 W. Saginaw, Mulliken, MI 48861.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate and caring staff at the Hospice House of MidMichigan.