Paul F. Shima, 63, of rural Davenport, died unexpectedly, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Paul were celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial was in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Long Grove. Visitation was held on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. at St. Ann’s, with additional visitation held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department and Eldridge EMS.
Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Paul Franklin Shima was born on Nov. 15, 1962, in Iowa City, a son of Daniel Alfred and Delores Ann (Stahle) Shima. He graduated from North Scott High School in 1981, where he met his future wife, and went on to Wichita Automotive and Electronics Institute (WAEI). Paul was united in marriage to Theresa Benson on Nov. 26, 1982, at Olde St. Ann’s, Long Grove.
Paul was a beloved father who spent years building their family dream home where they raised their children, Spencer and Katelyn.
Paul was an incredibly gifted mechanic serving as a master technician of car and truck. He was the reigning Top Gun after being awarded this honor through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence in 2008. He was currently employed through QC Tech. He and Theresa also owned and maintained rental properties in addition to their salon, Creative Expressions.
Paul was known as “Mr. Fix-it.” He had a mechanically gifted mind and an irreplicable thought process. He could fix or repair anything. Many turned to him a source of wisdom and solution. Despite his hard-working mentality, Paul had a way of slowing things down and helping others do the same. He not only had an admiration for how things worked but an appreciation for old barns, farm equipment and nature. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop, riding their side by side with friends in Wisconsin especially at the family cabin, and spending time with his grandchildren showing them his ways and giving them tractor rides. Paul also enjoyed visiting his family farm in Tipton.
Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Theresa, Davenport, children and their spouses: Spencer (Danielle) Shima, Long Grove, and Katelyn (Tyler) Warner, Eldridge; grandchildren: Wyatt, Waylon, Gracie, and Briggs; his father, Daniel Shima, Eldridge; sisters: Tammy (Dale) Saskowski, Davenport, and Mary (Dan) Maloney, Isanti, Minn., as well as nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother, his sister, Theresa Shaw, father-in-law, Gerald Benson, and a brother-in-law, Mike Benson. May they rest in peace.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
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