Paul J Schleitwiler

Paul J. Schleitwiler, age 84, at rest October 11, 2025. Beloved husband of Mary Nichols-Schleitwiler (nee Nelson). Father, step-father, grandfather, godfather, brother, brother-in-law, Uncle Paul of the ‘endless handshake’ (iykyk). Paul was the third of seven children of Rose (Porod) and Harold Schleitwiler, and is survived by two sisters, Barbara and Judith.

He was an omnivorous reader and a life-long learner whose studies led from Morton East H.S., through the Art Institute, to an MBA at the University of Chicago. His first career was in corporate settings, in finance, accounting, project management, and consulting. He also immersed himself in computer technology, and was an early ‘geek’.

After several years, he stepped away to pursue his love of making and teaching art, encouraging the creativity of students from park districts to college classrooms, while continuing to paint, draw, and sculpt.

Paul always enjoyed being outdoors. Starting with a childhood of camping and fishing, he continued hiking and biking for as long as he was able. He and Mary were members of the Morton Arboretum for over 30 years.

Paul’s spiritual home for the past 20 years has been the Family Mass Community of St. Giles Church in Oak Park. There he used his talents to create numerous logos and flyers, a quarterly newsletter, and more than one hundred unique crocheted shawls and blankets for the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

As he requested, Paul’s remains will be cremated. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in his memory at 11AM on Saturday, November 1st, at St. Giles Church, 1045 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL (preceded by visitation at the church from 10AM-11AM.)