Paul Arlington Schember

Paul Arlington Schember went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 25th, 2021. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a humble man who was always willing to give of himself to help others. One of four children of the Schember-Knoblet family (two of which preceded him in death: David and Rinerd), Paul is now reunited with his father, Clarence Henry Schember, and mother, Ruth Marguerite Dorman in heaven. Paul is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kaylene Schember, as well as his five children: Deborah Miranda, husband Percy; Rebecca Deal, husband Daniel; Paul Schember, wife Andrea; Philip Schember, wife Stephanie; and Ana Fowler; nine grandchildren: Hossana Miranda, husband Mauro Delgadillo; Samuel Deal, wife Elizabeth; Shekinah Miranda; Joash Miranda; Doris Schember; Katelyn Deal; Thad Schember; Aidan Schember; and Isaac Schember. 

Paul was born at home in a Cass City, Michigan farmhouse on June 4th, 1946, and that was only the beginning of his lifelong adventures. As he had decided at an early age to passionately follow Christ, giving Him his all, he studied at Mount Carmel High School (Jackson, KY) [where he first met and fell in love with Kaylene]; Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute (Jackson, KY); Emmanuel Bible College (Kitchener, Ontario, CA); and Asbury College (Wilmore, KY), graduating in the class of 1972. He married Kaylene on August 22, 1970. Paul worked laying drywall while also pastoring two churches during his college years in Kentucky. The family then moved to Rhodes, Michigan, where Paul was senior pastor of Rhodes Missionary Church - denomination where he was also ordained - and together with Kaylene ministered to the youth as well. 

Following the call to missions that God had placed on their hearts, Paul and Kaylene joined World Gospel Mission as missionaries, together with their children, traveling for the first time to Bolivia, South America in 1981. While there, Paul ministered to the native Guarayo tribe through church planting and one-on-one evangelism, while stationed in the remote jungle town of Asención de Guarayos. He was well-loved by many there, who also came to see him as a father figure. He and Kaylene also studied Spanish at a language school in San Jose, Costa Rica, before returning to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, this time to serve by teaching Bible classes to the students of Berea Bible Seminary, as well as leading the choir ministry there. Paul loved the Bolivian people so deeply that he returned several times even after having retired. 

Upon their return to the United States of America, Paul worked in the radiology department at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, KY, and as Senior Pastor of Eastland Park Church of the Nazarene in the same city, before returning to the building trade in his retirement. Paul remained involved with various Hispanic church ministries, and many were blessed by his unique, personable temperament and willingness to seek out people, helping them in their need and connecting with them on an individual level. Despite his many endeavors, Paul had a unique way of connecting with and prioritizing spending time, and playing with his grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman in true Michigander fashion, Paul enjoyed fishing, horsemanship, nature hikes and hunting, instilling many of these appreciations in his children. Many family and friends are well aware of his affinity for pranks, a practice that lives on in many of his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Grace Community Church of the Nazarene, where Kaylene remains a member.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to help comfort Kaylene Schember. Checks can be made payable to her name, and mailed to 343 Emma Dr, Lancaster, KY 40444.

This obituary was loving submitted by Paul’s family in his honor,  Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home values nothing more than the trust given to us by the Schember family to care for Paul’s arrangements.

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