Paul St. John

Paul St. John, age 80 of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Kearney Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

Paul was born February 21, 1943, in Lexington, Nebraska, to Robert “Ole” and Edna (Passage) St. John. He attended school in Lexington and graduated with the class of 1961. Paul attended Kearney State College where he received an associate's degree in business.

On May 16th, 1964, he was united in marriage to Laraine Trew from Cumro, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Lexington, Nebraska where they raised their three children: Kelly, Kim, and Scott.

Paul enjoyed a 43-year tenure at Union Pacific Railroad where he was a Clerk. Along with his railroad career, he and his wife Laraine owned a cleaning service that they continued until 2008 when they retired and moved to Kearney. Paul continued to work various jobs throughout his retirement, primarily at Railcrew Xpress, driving railroad crews to areas around Nebraska.

Throughout their younger years, Paul, and Laraine, along with their children, enjoyed spending weekends and summers at their cabin at Johnson Lake, where Paul taught his children how to water ski and ride dirt bikes. He was a man of many words, and always had a new joke or story to tell friends as well as complete strangers.  In conservations with those he knew or just met, Paul was happiest when he could offer up a book that would match that person’s interests or needs. 

He spent countless hours at the library where he would read every available newspaper.  He was an avid reader, with specific interests in historical events and finances.  Outside of his family, Paul’s all-time favorite way to spend time was to coffee with his friends, where he would discuss local and world current events.  Paul always had a place in his heart to help his family and others in need who were experiencing challenges times in their life.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Robert “Ole” and Edna; older brother, Gerald “Jake”; half-sister, LaRae; and son, Scott.

He is survived by his wife, Laraine of Kearney; daughter Kelly (Mike) Forde of Dallas, Texas; daughter Kim (Rick) Sheldon of Kearney; daughter in-law Shelley St. John of Omaha; sister in-law Imogene St. John of Kearney and his grandchildren: Bryce (April) St. John of Lincoln; Nichole and Brandon Sheldon of Kearney; Parker and Kaden Forde of Dallas and great grandchildren: Finn, Charlie, Oscar, and Oliver, all of Lincoln.

A service will be held to remember Paul’s life on October 10th, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Reverend Eddie Mariel, officiating.  Paul will be cremated and buried at Greenwood cemetery. Coffee reception to follow at Kirk’s Nebraskaland Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Paul with a memorial donation in his name to the Kearney Public Library.  Cards may be sent to Laraine St. John at 4911 Parklane, Kearney, NE 68847.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com