Paul William Dieterle, age 79, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 07, 2025, at Vibrant Life Memory Care in Durand, Michigan.
Visitation will be at Swartz Funeral Home, Flint, Michigan, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their Michigan State Spartans gear to the visitation (Go Green! Go White!).
Funeral mass will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Father Gene Geromel presiding.
Private Interment will take place at the Great Lakes National Cemetery on a later date.
Paul was born the son of Lawrence and Edna (Hill) Dieterle in Howell, Michigan (along with his twin sister Shirley) on September 27, 1946.
He spent his early years trapping, hunting, and fishing. He loved being outdoors. He graduated from Howell High School in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and was sent to Vietnam to serve as a military policeman in 1967. He was proudly assigned to Co. B 504th M.P. Bn., Pleiku, South Vietnam, where he was promoted to the rank of Sgt. E-5. After completing his military duties, he met and married Maida M. Lynam (Mickie).
Paul was hired by the Flint City Police Department in 1969 and worked there for 29 years, attaining the rank of sergeant. He attended Mott Community College and Michigan State University earning his degrees in Criminal Justice. After he retired from the City of Flint, he worked at Baker College, Flint Campus, as a campus safety officer for ten years.
Our father often seemed larger than life. He was tall and strong. He was a combat veteran, a career police officer, a proud Michigan State Alumni, and an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a patriot and protector of our country, servant to our community, and supporter of nature and animals. But those who knew him best knew he had a soft and loving heart. He would do anything for those he loved. He was a wonderful husband, outstanding father, cherished grandfather, beloved brother, favorite uncle, and a supportive brother-in-arms.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Maida (Lynam) Dieterle, his daughter, Jennifer Dieterle Martin, Esq. (Thomas), son, Dr. Jason Dieterle, D.O. (Natalie), and daughter, Julie (Dieterle) Brown (Michael); nine beautiful grandchildren: Madeline (Martin) Rye (Jake), Megan and Hunter Martin; John, Elise, and Julia Dieterle; Maris, Sophia, and Holden Brown; and great-grandchild Henry Rye. His sister, Shirley (Dieterle) Spaulding, sister-in-law, Marie Dieterle, and brother-in-law, Dr. William Lynam; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by several brothers-in-arms, whom he loved like family.
Paul was proceeded in death by his parents, brother, Duane Dieterle, sister, Carolyn Dieterle, brothers-in-law, James Spaulding and Frank Fedewa, and sister-in-law Barbara Fedewa.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Vibrant Life Memory Care and AMARA Hospice for their excellent and loving care of Paul and our family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fraternal Oder of Police Lodge 126; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 175, or the Swartz Creek Sportsman Club.
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