Paul Persenaire went to be with the Lord on February 13, 2024. Paul was born on June 30, 1936, to Rev. Adam and Dora (Doezema) Persenaire and grew up in Eastmanville, MI. In sixth grade, he moved to St. Catharines, Ontario, where he graduated from high school. Paul graduated from Calvin College with a degree in history. While studying at Calvin, he met his wife of 65 years, Iris Barsema. Iris preceded Paul in death less than a month ago. Paul and Iris moved to Lansing, Illinois, after graduating from college and lived there for almost 50 years. Paul was a teacher at Lansing Christian, Calvin Christian (South Holland), and Roseland Christian Schools and later became the principal at Roseland. He also taught in Chicago Public Schools prior to retirement. Paul is fondly remembered by many students for his story-telling, sense of humor, and kind heart. Paul and Iris were members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where Paul served as a youth group leader and an elder.

Paul is lovingly remembered by his children Timothy and Mary Persenaire, Cynthia DeBoer, Kenneth and Kelli Persenaire, Daniel and Ann Persenaire; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Steven Persenaire, Sarah Persenaire, Rebecca and David Morrissey (Ella and Madelyn), Joel DeBoer and Grace Nelson, Ryan and Kerry Gamble (Oona), Philip DeBoer and Hannah Yamuni, Kenneth Persenaire, Kyle and Joanna Persenaire (Sutton and Jude), Katie and Andrew Scott (Eze, Riven, and Aiden (deceased)), Hannah Persenaire and Matt Schoppen, Adam, Annaleah, and Daniel Persenaire. He is fondly remembered by his sisters and brothers-in-law Jess Helmus, Dorothy and Art VanderKruk, Helen Persenaire, Harry Vriend, Loie Persenaire, Delia Persenaire, Carol Persenaire, Marcia Jansen, and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Vriend, and brothers and sisters-in-law Case and Jean, Ted and Gladys, David and Joyce, Adrian, Philip, and Robert Persenaire.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Brookside Christian Reformed Church, 3600 Kalamazoo Ave, Grand Rapids, MI. Relatives and friends may meet the family at 9:45 a.m. for one hour before the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Employee Scholarship Fund at Beacon Hill where Paul and Iris resided for the last eight years.