Paul Phillip Sedlar, 90, revered throughout Manistee County as a storyteller, craftsman, and local legend, passed away peacefully at his Bear Lake home on June 12, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished.

Born on February 21, 1935, in Kaleva, Michigan, to the late Pete and Ann (Pnovsky) Sedlar, Paul graduated from Kaleva High School in 1953. The same year, he joined the Michigan National Guard, proudly serving through 1961 and earning the enduring nickname "Jack Pine Savage" for his wilderness wherewithal and capability.

On March 23, 1963, Paul married Barbara Lynne Loranger at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muskegon. Together they built a vibrant life rooted in faith, hard work, and kindness. He was a longtime member of Bear Lake Methodist Church—later called Bear Lake Community Church—where his humble generosity often went unseen but was always felt.

Paul was employed with Martin Marietta Chemical Company prior to launching Sedlar Custom Tree and Limb Removal, turning a love of the outdoors into a respected local business. Earlier in life, he worked the family mink farm, producing award‑winning pelts that went on to supply celebrated furs in the booming industry of the era.

His passions were steeped within the pastoral woodlands and waterways of the Northern Michigan landscape he deeply loved: trapping, hunting, and fishing, gardening and tilling the soil, the husbandry of horses from Arabian to Thoroughbreds, designing distinctive black‑walnut furniture, and trading stories and self-tanned pelts at international expos. Paul reveled in adding to his collection of arrowheads and Native American artifacts and attending old car shows, with an extensive knowledge of the engine blocks and car models of his youth. A well-read historian, Paul delighted in sharing and preserving regional lore and anecdotal history marginalia. Paul was a known prankster and loved a good laugh.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Barbara; their children, Kim (Todd) Lagerquist, Dan (Lisa) Sedlar, Scott Sedlar, and Nicole Goodheart; grandchildren and great grandchildren Clyve Lagerquist, Gus Lagerquist (Jordan Barnett), Maeve (Tyler) Bandt, Destiny LaFleur, Mason Milarch, Eli Richmond, Travis LaFleur, Keaton LaFleur, Nichole Beatty, Cadence Beatty, Declan Beatty, Ivy Sedlar (Gary Foster), Brynlee Foster, Rhett Foster, Shania Sedlar, Wade Sedlar, and Billie Sedlar; sister Pearl Siciliano; brothers Peter (Diane) Sedlar and Phillip Sedlar; brother‑in‑law Don Chmielewski; sister‑in-law and brother‑in‑law Marilyn and Jerrold Johnson; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; in‑laws Tillissa Loranger Anderson and Donovan Anderson; Eugene Loranger. Sister-Patricia (Jim ) Robertson, Brother-In-Law Frank Siciliano, Brother-Patrick Sedlar, Sister-Pam (Floyd) Swanson, Sister-In-Law-Pam Sedlar, and Sister-Priscilla Chmielewski.

A celebration of Paul's extraordinary life will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Bear Lake Community Church, 7861 Main Street, Bear Lake. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until noon; the funeral service will begin at noon with Pastor John Scott officiating, followed by a luncheon at the church. In tribute to Paul's signature style, guests are invited to wear their favorite cowboy or cowgirl attire—or a touch of fur.

Paul was cremated in accordance with his wishes. Memorial contributions may be made to Bear Lake Community Church.

He leaves behind a legacy of grit, hard-work, generosity, and boundless curiosity—echoing through the trees he tended, the stories he told, and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered