Date of Death: November 17, 2024
Service Details
Cremation has taken place, and interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers.
Obituary Notice
Paul James Carta, 96, of Three Rivers, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Kalamazoo.
He was born April 13, 1928 in Three Rivers, the son of Peter and Katherine (Choinacky) (Carta) Kauffman. His father came to the U.S. from Italy at a young age. His maternal grandparents were from Poland. Paul was very close with them growing up, and learned from his grandfather how to garden, build and repair just about anything. He graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1947.
Paul had a long and varied work history. His first job was picking strawberries at Kellogg Farms in Three Rivers. He went on to work on the railroad, then at Studebaker Corporation in South Bend. Eventually, he worked at Peterson Spring and Dayco corporations in Three Rivers. He retired from Johnson Corporation (now Kadant Johnson) in Three Rivers in 1993.
On July 7, 1956, Paul married Bonnie M. Lewis. They met when both were working at Peterson Spring Corporation, and were inseparable for 62 years. They made their home and raised their children in Three Rivers. They always stayed busy and enjoyed gardening and taking on DIY projects. He liked woodworking, often making holiday craft items, and he developed a love of painting detailed ceramic pieces. He leaves behind dozens of intricately painted items that are precious to his family.
Paul was the ultimate family man, taking utmost care of everyone and all his possessions. In just his final year when he needed care, he still took on the caregiver role at the assisted living facility where he resided. He insisted on helping the staff however he could, often teaching them things they found useful in their day to day duties. They loved his independence and gentle nature, and grew very fond of him.
Many of Paul’s favorite memories were of hours spent with his grandsons. He was always ready to read to them when they were small, and as they grew older, taught them things his grandfather had taught him. He bravely held the nails as he taught them to hammer, and would involve them in whatever he was working on. He would help them practice any sport they were interested in, and rarely missed attending a game or event they were a part of. He was very proud of the young men they became.
Remaining to cherish his memory are two daughters, Regina L. Petoskey and Christina M. Carta; and two grandsons, Nathan and (Cassy Seager) Petoskey and Eric (Bailey Rodewald) Petoskey.
He was preceded in death by his father, Peter, in 1947; his mother, Katherine, in 1989; his step-father, Elmo (Pie) L. Kauffman, in 2006; his wife, Bonnie, in 2019; and son-in-law, Brian L. Petoskey, in 2024.
Additional Information
Donations in Paul’s memory may be directed to Wings of Hope Hospice.
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