February 4, 1947 – October 29, 2022
After a long battle with bladder cancer, Paul Thomas Schoenberger, 75, of Queen Creek, Arizona passed away peacefully in his home with his wife, Eleanor, by his side early in the morning of October 29, 2022.
Paul was born on February 4, 1947 in Tucson, Arizona. After graduating from Amphitheatre High School in Tucson, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Germany. Upon completion of his mission, he attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona where he met the love of his life, Eleanor. He then completed college graduating with a degree in Philosophy. As they began their lives together, Paul worked in many capacities in law enforcement, most notably serving as an Arizona Highway Patrol Officer from 1977-1997. He and his wife, Eleanor, raised their two children in Clarkdale, Arizona in the Verde Valley where they lived for 28 years. During which period, Paul served in many roles within his church including Bishop of the Mingus ward for 6 years. Paul and Eleanor enjoyed retirement years by moving to Gold Canyon, Arizona to be closer to their children and eight grandchildren. They also enjoyed spending time traveling on numerous cruises and serving in the Mesa, Arizona Temple for 11 years. One of the highlights of Paul’s life was serving as a temple worker along with his wife in the Manhattan, New York temple where they developed many eternal friendships. In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband and father, Paul loved reading and had an insatiable love of history, enjoyed the outdoors and was always happiest when he had a dog by his side.
Paul is survived by his wife, Eleanor, his two children Erich (Tonia) Schoenberger and Emily (Joel) Madsen and eight grandchildren (Raquel, Zachary, Charlotte, Tyler, Abigail, Samantha, Matthew and Dillon). Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Alice May and Robert Ford Schoenberger. Services to celebrate his life will be held on Monday November 7, 2022 at the Hawes Ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 19781 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ. Viewing for loved ones will begin at 9 am with services at 10 am. Following the funeral services, burial will take place at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, AZ. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers to please consider a contribution in memory of Paul that can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Missionary fund.
