Paul Francis "Papa D" "Tiny" Dewane

Paul Francis “Papa D”  “Tiny” Dewane, 82, of Sheboygan, passed away on March 3, 2023, unexpectedly at his home.  He was born on September 3, 1940, the second son of Robert and Alice “Petie” (Cookle) Dewane.  He grew up in the village of Maribel attending local schools and graduating from Denmark High School in 1958.

He continued his education at UW Oshkosh earning a bachelor degree in chemistry and English in 1962.  During that year he started his teaching career in Sheboygan at Urban Junior High. After Urban, he helped open Horace Mann in 1969, and eventually completed his career at North High.   Paul continued his education at UW Oshkosh earning a Masters Degree in 1967. During this time, he also earned credits in Humanities from UW Milwaukee, St. Mary’s of Moraga, CA, and the University of New Hampshire.  During this period, he was appointed K-12 English City Chair, a position he held most of his career. Working with UW Milwaukee he started the College Credit Program in High School in which students could take English college classes for credit.  This program expanded to UW Oshkosh, Lakeland College, and St. Norbert College.  He was satisfied to see this program blossom, especially when it spread to other disciplines.  Also, during his K-12 chair term he rewrote the English Curriculum into semester courses which helped all students of different abilities.  Along with his colleagues, he continued to re-work and refine the curriculum until he retired.  After applying for and receiving a federal grant, he designed a student – work program where high school students were placed in businesses they were interested in and learned business expectations and protocol.  Paul retired in 1998 serving 36-years as an educator, mentor and leader in the Sheboygan Area School District. If you were one of his students, you may have found yourself in the hallway looking for Pink Elephants with a yardstick.

He married Elaine Havlichek on November 16, 1968, and had two children, Paul Shannon and Dawn Marie.  He and his wife “Mama D” worked together for many years in the Sheboygan school system.

Paul was an avid fisherman especially muskie fishing on the Chain O Lakes, spending many days on his boat the Emerald Isle.  He enjoyed watching NASCAR, hockey, football and recently basketball, especially since his granddaughter Noelle was such a competitive player.  Paul enjoyed playing the drums with many local polka bands, which inspired his grandson Quenten to follow in his footsteps in percussion. Daily you could find him working on a NY Times crossword puzzles.

Paul was a former member of the Maribel Sportsman’s Club, Phi Delta Kappa and the Sheboygan Elks Lodge 299.

Paul was called “Papa D” by his former students and all the kids in the neighborhood.  And on any given day no little tot walked by his house without stopping for a popsicle from the garage refrigerator.  Also, all dogs being walked by their owners automatically stopped in for a doggy treat.

Paul is survived by Elaine, his wife of 54 years, his daughter Dawn (Andrew) Prickett of Oshkosh, grandson Quenten, and granddaughter Noelle who were his pride and joy, niece Heather (David) Steinberger, and their daughter Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Paul Shannon on October 28, 1995, brother Robert of Two Rivers, and brother-in-law David Havlichek, and his in-laws George and Emily Havlichek of Denmark.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 1:30 PM at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 2133 N. 22^nd St., Sheboygan with Fr. Mark Brandl officiating and Fr. Luke Ferris co-concelebrating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the CHURCH.  If you are unable to join the family for the service it will be livestreamed on Paul’s obituary page on the funeral home website.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Paul’s name.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.