Paul Ray Scladenhauffen

Paul Ray Schladenhauffen, 72, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026. Born on January 26, 1954, in Watseka, Illinois, he was the son of Carl and Rose Schladenhauffen.

Paul spent much of his life in Joliet, Illinois, where he built a long and successful career as a software engineer with Caterpillar. In 1999, he married the love of his life, Mary Jo (Wysocki) Schladenhauffen. Their marriage was filled with laughter, adventure, and a shared love of travel that only deepened with time.

After retiring, Paul and Mary Jo moved to South Carolina, living in Mount Pleasant, Murrells Inlet, and most recently Seabrook Island. Together they traveled extensively, river cruising through Europe, sledging in the Swiss Alps, eating their way through Italy, seeing the Pope in Rome, riding a seaplane in Alaska, and ziplining in Costa Rica. A proud son of German and Alsace heritage, Paul had a passion for travel, great food, music, and life itself. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends. A devoted Catholic, he was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island. He was also a self-proclaimed unlucky golfer, a lover of cigars and good bourbon, and a longtime Jimmy Buffett “Parrothead.”

Paul was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Jo; his children, Amy (Ray) Brady, Jason (Lexi) Schladenhauffen, and Julia Schladenhauffen; and his cherished grandchildren, Sawyer and Scout Schladenhauffen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Roseanne Schladenhauffen; his brother, Mike Schladenhauffen; his sister, Carlene Schladenhauffen; his parents-in-law, Joseph and Dorothy Wysocki; and his brother-in-law, Bob Wysocki. His family takes comfort in imagining him reunited with those who went before him, perhaps with a cigar in one hand and a bourbon in the other.