Paul James Mackaluso

Paul James Mackaluso was called home by his Heavenly Father on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the age of 94. Paul was born on December 7, 1927, to Paul D. and Rebecca Mackaluso at Camp Custer in Augusta, Michigan. Paul went to W.K. Kellogg School until he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for 19 months and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Seaman First Class. While in the Navy, he was a member of the Carrier Air Service Unit 65 (CASU-65) and served on the USS Thornhill and the USS Placerville. Paul was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon. Upon being discharged, he went back to school to earn his high school diploma. While in high school, Paul played football, baseball, and track.
After graduating in 1947, he went to work for the U.S. Wire Company for 4 1/2 years, Eaton Manufacturing for 8 years, and the Kellogg Company for 29 1/2 years before retiring in 1989. Paul was also a volunteer firefighter for Bedford Township for 10 1/2 years. He attended Level Park Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for two years, and later became a member of Covenant Hope Church in Battle Creek. Paul was a Scout leader at Level Park when his son was in Scouts. Paul also liked his cars, including a Montage kit car, Gran Torino, and DeLorean, but his favorite was his 1965 Mustang Fastback. He was an avid outdoorsman where he liked to hunt, fish, snowmobile, shuffleboard, and tend to his flower gardens.

He was preceded in death by his wife Waneta Mackaluso, sister Barbara (Mackaluso) Underwood, brother Robert Mackaluso, brother-in-law Gary (Mary) Arnold, and his son James Mackaluso. Surviving is his sister Mary Arnold, sister-in-law Mary Lou Mackaluso, daughter Becky (Craig) VanDongen, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

A funeral service to celebrate Paul's life will be Friday, April 22, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Hope Church, 1021 Wagner Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Donations in Paul's name can be made to Careline Hospice, 103 S. Jackson St. Suite 200, Jackson, MI 49201 or Southwest Michigan Vets Relief Fund. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages to the family or memories of Paul may be left at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.