Paul Joseph Ruediger, 59, longtime St. John resident, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015 at the Whitman Health & Rehabilitation Center in Colfax. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5 at the St. John United Methodist Church.

Paul was born on August 21, 1955 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Albert F. & Mary P. (Torzewski) Ruediger, the fifth of eight children. He grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Stevens Point in 1973. Shortly after his senior year of high school, his family moved to Monroe, Washington where his parents owned and operated a lumber mill. Paul worked as a general laborer in a variety of jobs including at his parents cheese factory in Wisconsin, the mill in Monroe as well as working as a farmhand for Ray Honn. Paul married Sandra Honn in 1979 and the couple had two children. That marriage later ended. Paul collected and displayed model trains, was an avid reader and loved all things musical. He was proficient in playing the mandolin.

Paul is survived by his son Elijah "Rudy" Ruediger and his wife Mary of Anderson, South Carolina; daughter Naomi Ruediger-Mackey and her husband Brian of Albany, Oregon; former wife and still good friend Sandy Honn-Ruediger of St. John; four grandchildren and seven siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions in Paul's honor are suggested to the St. John EMT's or the Friends of the St. John Library. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.