Obituaries

After nearly 40 years of enduring Multiple Sclerosis and its derived illnesses, Paul Haynie was called home on October 17, 2023 at age 71.

Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on July 31, 1952, Paul grew up in Birchwood, WI along with his three sisters and two brothers. In his teens, Paul worked at his father’s Standard Oil filling station, and excelled in sports, especially basketball. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education and coaching from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse and took his first teaching/coaching job in Bruce, WI in 1980. At Bruce, Paul taught physical education and coached multiple sports before MS forced him to retire in 1989. Despite his short teaching career, Mr. Haynie remains a legend with his students and players.

In his 20s Paul ran marathons and hang glided off Granddad’s Bluff in La Crosse. (Or at least he told his kids that he did.) Throughout his life he loved sports and even though he could no longer play, he greatly enjoyed watching basketball and football games and could be heard frequently yelling at the refs even though the game was on TV. A master cribbage player, Paul didn’t even need his crib to skunk his competitors or leave them in the stink hole. He was fond of audio books by suspense authors, and he delighted in eating cheeseburgers, fries, Dr. Pepper, and peanut M&Ms.

Paul was a minimalist who did not value material possessions. He found happiness through spending time with friends and family, both old and new. He laughed despite his pain, and he genuinely championed people by his simple philosophy of being nice. Paul was unconditionally devoted to his children and was a faithful follower and proud crusader of Jesus Christ.

Paul is survived by his three children from his nineteen-year marriage to the late Linda (Legler) Gretencord: Jessica Haynie of Mexico City, Justina & Dan Salmon of Marquette, MI, and Joel & Cindi Haynie of DeForest, WI; his eight grandchildren: Eva Hautamaki, Ian Hautamaki, Cora Haynie, Eli Hautamaki, Lana Haynie, Edan Hautamaki, Teyla Haynie and Lucinda Camarena Haynie; and his five siblings: Linda Sharp, Sharon Overman, Pam (& Edward) Langham, Scott (& Laurie) Haynie, and Brad (& Sylvia) Haynie.

Paul is preceded in death by his mother Ardith Jene (Nelson) Haynie, September 23, 1967, and his father Leonard “Tubby” Delvin Haynie, March 9, 2010.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, with Pastor Kent Van Horn officiating. A gathering will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250