Paul W. McKown

Born June 27, 1942, in Erie, Pennsylvania, Paul was the son of George and Winona McKown. Paul was the eldest of four children; his siblings are Marcia Rudin, Philip (Maria) McKown, and Daniel (Jane) McKown. Paul graduated from Palatine High School, where he (playing trombone) met his wife Patricia, (playing trumpet) in the high school band. Paul then received his Bachelor and Master degrees in Education and Administration from Eastern Illinois University.

Paul’s career spanned 38 years of teaching in Elementary School District 21, Wheeling Illinois. He began his career at Carl Sandburg School, then opened the new Booth Tarkington School as its principal, the youngest principal the district had employed at that time. After a number of years, he was eager to return to personally teaching children and did so at Eugene Field School.

Paul loved teaching and mentoring others. After retiring from education, he turned his summer job of painting and decorating into a full-time business—McKown Painting and Decorating. Paul mentored many young people in the art of serving others, including with a paintbrush.

Paul was known to be a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, but even more than that, he loved playing ball himself. He played softball in church and park district leagues, then senior softball leagues for many years. One of his favorite activities with grandchildren was to go into the backyard and pick up a ball and bat with them. Paul also greatly appreciated music. One of his fondest college memories was singing in the Men’s Glee Club. Singing in the church choir or listening to family members make music made him happy. Anyone who knew Paul has experienced his positive, happy spirit, as well as his ever-present sense of humor.

Paul just loved people — he knew all people are created in God’s image and he loved and accepted them all. Yes, Grandchildren did have a special place in his heart! But most of all Paul wanted everyone he met to know the truth of Romans 10:13: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It was Paul’s faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior that enabled him to live victoriously and he wanted everyone, from his doctors and nurses to friends and acquaintances, to know the joy and hope of living eternally in the presence of the Lord God, as Paul now is.

Paul is dearly missed by his family: his wife of 60 years, Patricia Moore McKown; their children Shannon (Jonathan) Busch of Palatine, Jay (Karen) McKown of University Place, WA, and Heather (Jason) English of Arlington Heights. These 9 Grandchildren loved their Papa: Liana (Watchman) Tamminga, Aidan (Courtney) Busch, Abigail (Ethan) Sampson, Peter (Katie) McKown, Emma Busch, Christopher English, Carson English, Julia McKown, and Emilie English. Paul also has 2 baby Great Granddaughters— Maisie and one expected in April.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be given to The Orchard Church, 1330 Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights or to Global Fingerprints Child Sponsorship Program, [email protected].

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL. Funeral service will take place at The Orchard Arlington Heights, located at 1330 N Douglas Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Following the service, please join in some fellowship and memory sharing from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

A burial service is scheduled following fellowship at Evergreen Cemetery Association, 610 S Dundee Ave, Barrington, IL 60010.