http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, August 15, 2024 27
Paul D.
Weiss,
81, passed
away peace-
fully at home
on Saturday,
August 10,
2024, while in
the loving care
of his family.
He was born
the oldest of
three on April 1,
1943, in Niles,
Michigan. Paul
grew up in
Battle Creek and
graduated from
Battle Creek
Central High in
1961.
It has been
said that there
can be no greater service than that of
serving your fellow man. His career in
public service started in the Navy from
1961 until 1965, during which time he
was on the U.S.S. Hammerberg. After
the Navy, he became a firefighter with
the Battle Creek Fire Department on
October 19, 1969, and was promoted to
Lieutenant in December 1987. Following
his retirement from the Fire Department
in 1995, Paul continued to serve as
a Public Safety Officer with Emmett
Charter Township and then Police Chief
for Olivet Police Department, retiring in
- He enjoyed the camaraderie and
cherished the life-long friendships that
developed during his times of service.
Paul was an avid reader with an
inquisitive nature. With a quest for
knowledge and a deep patriotic love for
his country, Paul enjoyed learning about
history and his bookshelves were full of
his beloved books. He enjoyed playing
ice hockey, which he eventually traded
for golf. He loved being by the water,
photography, music, playing cards and
spending time with family, neighbors
and friends.
He married Sonya (Burns) Padelt in
1969 and both went on to remarry and
remained in touch throughout their
lives. On December 1, 1994, Paul mar-
ried Linda (Thompson) Hunt, who sur-
vives him. Together they enjoyed travel-
ing, boating, and spending time with
children and grandchildren. He is also
survived by his children, Jaime (Tad)
Kiessling, Brett (Mandi) Weiss, Michelle
(John Byle), Wendi (Tony) Mitchell;
stepchildren David (Erica) Hunt and
Kimberly Adams; grandchildren Kodie
(TJ), Krista (Brad), Nicholas, AJ, Cole,
Drew, Brendan, Quinn, Kelcey, Lauren,
Sawyer, Addie, Rehna, Ryder, Emery;
great-grandchildren Graham, Wells and
Callahan; and a brother, Robert (Marcia)
Weiss.
Paul was preceded in death by his
parents, Oliver “Bill” and Jeanette
(Cummins) Barney, and a sister,
Kathleen Glen.
His kindness, selflessness and con-
cern for others was evident as he
received “Father of the Year” by the
Enquirer in 1976. When asked about
this honor he stated, “The children make
the Father look good.”
Family will receive friends Sunday,
August 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Richard A.
Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services
will be held at noon, Monday, August
19, at the funeral home with inter-
ment to follow at Fort Custer National
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks
that memorial donations are made to
St. Jude’s, Make a Wish Foundation or
Tunnel to Towers.Obituary Policy
The Battle Creek Shopper News accepts obituaries from licensed funeral
homes or crematories. If they did not provide obituary services, the family
spokesperson (who will be required to fill out an affidavit of publication) may
submit the obit via email to [email protected].
Include your name and phone number, as well as the name and number of
the funeral home, so we can verify the death.
Submission and pre-payment deadline is noon Monday before the Thursday
of publication. For more information, call (269) 965-3955.WK Kellogg Co., a leading manu-
facturer, marketer, and distributor
of branded ready-to-eat cereal in the
U.S., Canada, and Caribbean, Aug.
6 announced that it plans to spend
approximately $450 to $500 million
on supply chain modernization efforts
which includes capital expenditures of
up to $390 million and one-time cash
restructuring and non-restructuring
costs of approximately $110 million.
“Our second quarter results are in
line with expectations, and we are on
track to achieve our full-year financial
guidance despite a difficult business
environment,” said Gary Pilnick,
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer in a press release. “Today’s
announcement regarding modernizing
our supply chain marks a significant
step forward in executing our strat-
egy and enhancing WK Kellogg Co’s
long-term strength and resilience.”
The company plans to invest in new
infrastructure, equipment, technology,
and capabilities at its Battle Creek,
Michigan; Belleville, Ontario; and
Lancaster, Pennsylvania plants, and
plans to increase production at these
locations.
The company also plans to consoli-
date its manufacturing footprint by
closing its Omaha, Nebraska plant,
with a phased reduction in production
beginning in late 2025 and full clo-
sure toward the end of 2026, accord-
ing to the company press release.The company also plans to scale
back production in its Memphis,
Tennessee facility commencing late
2025, resulting in a more focused,
streamlined facility.
These actions would reduce head-
count by approximately 550 people,
including estimated headcount addi-
tions at the plants where production
would increase.
“Actions that impact our people
and the communities where we oper-
ate are challenging and are made
with thoughtful consideration,” said
Pilnick. “We recognize and appreciate
the tremendous contributions of our
WK teams in Omaha and Memphis,
and we are committed to providing
them support throughout this transi-
tion.”
He added that: “These actions will
help transform our supply chain and
will allow us to enhance our produc-
tion across a more reliable, agile, and
cost-effective manufacturing network,
supporting top line delivery and driv-
ing margin expansion.”
The company also shared an update
on its strategic priority to modern-
ize its supply chain. Second Quarter
Financial Highlights:
Second quarter reported net sales
declined 3.9-percent year-over-
year and adjusted net sales declined
2.7-percent year-over-year when com-
pared to standalone adjusted net sales.WK Kellogg Co., a leading manufacturer of ready-to-eat cereal, plans to
invest part of its overall supply chain modernization plan into the Battle
Creek manufacturing plant. Here, the company participates in a United
Way fundraiser across McCamly Street from its Battle Creek headquarters.
(Shopper News file photo)WK Kellogg Co. to invest in future
of Battle Creek cereal plant