Paul Eugene Kaney

Paul Eugene Kaney, aged 86, passed away in his Phoenix, AZ home on Jan. 2, 2018. Paul was born in Freeport, IL on Nov. 10, 1931 to Edwin and Celia (Zumdahl) Kaney. The youngest of four children, he walked (or rode his horse) to a one-room country schoolhouse and worked on the family farm. He served in the Army in 1955-56, where he was stationed with an artillery unit in Germany. From the late 1950s through the early 1960s the family farm was sold, he completed technical schooling in auto/truck mechanics, was married, and had three children.

After a couple of short stints elsewhere, the family settled in Phoenix in June of 1962. His working life was spent as a truck transmission mechanic but he was also known to a wide circle of family and friends as the 'go to' guy for help when your car needed some repair work. His other interests included photography - including some home developing and printing - camping, fixing things, swap meets, big band music and an old car club.

In 1973 he married his second wife, Judith Zaino, and helped raised her three children from a prior marriage. He kept busy in retirement by helping out his neighbors as a jack of all trades, volunteering at Epworth United Methodist Church, and researching and compiling his family genealogy.

Paul was proceeded in death by his two sisters, Phyllis Rowland and Virginia Heath, His second wife of 38 years, Judith and one step-son, Christopher Zaino. He is survived by two step-children (and their spouses): Vicki Simpson (Frank) and Paulette Siegel (Joe), as well as Christopher's widow (SiuYuk). He is also survived by three children (and their spouses): Brian Kaney (Peggy), Barbara Wilson (David), and Sharon Vane (Charles), eleven grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren, and one sister, Elaine Long (Ted).

Services will be at Epworth United Methodist Church at 4802 N. 59th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85033 on Saturday 01/20/2018 at 11:00am with lunch and fellowship to follow.