Obituary of Paul Edwin Deats

Judge Paul Edwin Deats, 76, of Edwardsburg, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Paul was born on August 20, 1946, to the late Wayne and Margaret (Decker) Deats in Los Angeles, California.

After graduating from Washington High School in Los Angeles, Paul went on to attend Whittier College and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He managed his family’s business, the Deats Sash and Door Company of Los Angeles, before deciding to pursue law school. Paul proudly earned his Law Degree from The University of Notre Dame in 1974. He began his law career as a prosecuting attorney in St. Joseph County, IN and in Cassopolis, MI before moving to a private practice law firm.  In December 1979, he was appointed as a Cass County District Court Judge and held this position for 29 years until retiring from the bench in December 2008. He was known for being a champion of justice, using compassion and decisiveness, and treating others with dignity and respect. During his retirement, he served as a visiting Judge and enjoyed serving the community as a member of the Ontwa Township Board of Review.

On August 31, 1968, Paul wed the love of his life, Penny Schuck, at a ceremony in Whittier, CA.  Together, Paul and Penny had three children. He loved raising his children in the Edwardsburg community and was very active in their many events and activities and influential in their lives and the lives of many of their friends. Paul was an avid Notre Dame fan, watching or attending many games over the years. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends, and was a frequent visitor to Emerald Isle, North Carolina and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. He also loved watching his grandchildren compete in their athletic events. 

Paul was a past member of the Girl Scout Singing Sands board, a Boy Scout merit badge advisor, and a member of the Edwardsburg Little League board of directors. He participated in the South Bend softball and Adamsville bowling leagues for many years, volunteered as a youth baseball and soccer coach, and served as the announcer for the Edwardsburg High School football and basketball teams. He also helped put on fireworks displays for Homecoming and Fourth of July in Edwardsburg. He loved music and was a member of the church choir and had a role in musicals at Cassopolis High School. He was also a member of the St. Peters Lodge #106 Free and Accepted Masons.

Paul is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Penny Deats; children, Becky (Jason) Yovich of Woodbridge, Virginia, Wayne (Tracy) Deats of Stow, Massachusetts, and Megan (Mackenzie Hatfield-Deats) Deats of Kalamazoo, Michigan; grandchildren, Tyler, Drew, Tate, Ethan, Zachary, Isabella, Ezra, and Jay; sister, Linda Owen of Yorba Linda, California; and many extended family members and close friends who will all miss him greatly.

Paul has been cremated and his family will be remembering him privately at this time.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Edwardsburg Food Pantry, 24832 US Highway 12, Edwardsburg, MI 49112; Edwardsburg Historical Museum, https://edwardsburgmuseum.org/donate/; and the Cass County Council on Aging,  http://www.casscoa.org/support-your-cass-county-coa.