Paul Michael Foster, Obituary

Paul Michael Foster, 63, of Onekama, formerly of Cedarville, passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2010, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born November 23, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Dragan “Dan” and Anne (Evosevic) Foster.

Wherever he went, Paul was sacrificially generous with his time, money and energy. He taught, mentored, served, and encouraged others. He was a natural teacher, both in and out of the classroom. As one friend reflected, “I don't know how much I've learned from Paul, but I know it's a lot…the in-the-trenches-alongside-me wisdom that changes me without my realizing I'm being changed.”

During the Vietnam War, Paul served his country for two years of alternative service in Detroit where he met Elaine. They returned to California to complete his Industrial Arts degree. Answering God’s call to full-time ministry, Paul joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) staff in the Seattle area. After a few years, he returned to California to finish his teaching certificate and began teaching small engine repair and woodshop at Reedley High School. In 1980, the family was invited to move to Cedarville, Michigan, for Paul to serve as general manager of Cedar Campus, an IVCF training facility. He became a member of First Union Church, serving as an elder and teacher for many years. In 2000, Paul and Elaine moved to Onekama, where he taught computer maintenance and repair at Manistee ISD. For the past three years, Paul taught woodshop and managed the yearbook at Onekama High School. He had a servant attitude and helped others gain confidence by trusting them with important work and believing they could rise to the challenge.

On June 15, 1969, at the Onekama Church of the Brethren, Paul married Elaine Deal who survives him. He is also survived by: four children, Sarah (Jon) Wiedyk of Lowell, Daniel (Rachel) Foster of Mason, Elizabeth (Michael) Herrick of Eaton Rapids, and David (Erin) Foster of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren, Karis, Esther, Alethea, and Adam Foster, Nathaniel Wiedyk, and Stella Foster; a granddaughter on the way, Eva Foster; two sisters, Martha (Dave) Karnell of Denver, Colorado, and Donna (Gary Isaacson) Randle of Queen Creek, Arizona; his mother-in-law, Frances T. Deal of Onekama; a brother-in-law, Loren Deal of Drummond Island; two sisters-in-law, Virginia (Kendall) Dykhuis of Hibbing, Minnesota, and Nancy (Michael) Cichy of Manistee; and many other relatives and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Daniel Deal.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Onekama High School auditorium. Interment will take place in the Onekama Village Cemetery in Onekama. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.

Thanks to all who have prayed for, comforted, helped, and grieved with the family during this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the ministry of Cedar Campus, in memory of Paul Foster. Checks should be made payable to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895. You are also invited to leave a remembrance of Paul at the family memorial page: http://paulfostermemorial.blogspot.com

The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.
www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com