PESHAWBESTOWN – Paul Joseph Shomin, Niisaaki (Down the Hill), 91, of Peshawbestown, passed away at 4:40 p.m. on June 14, 2025. He was born in a log cabin in Cross Village on Sept. 22, 1933. He was one of 13 children of Edmund and Angeline (Shagonaby) Shomin. He married Barbara Ellen (Tribelote) Shomin in 1960. She preceded him in death on Jan. 29, 1990. Paul was a devout and spiritual Catholic, attending St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey and St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Lake Leelanau. He was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Harbor Springs.

He graduated from Petoskey High School in 1953. He followed seven of his brothers into the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He went to trade school so he could become a tool and die man for General Motors. He retired after more than 20 years with the company. He extensively traveled around the United States and Europe. He loved traveling to pow wows and was an avid reader and gambler.

He is survived by his children Mike (Shari) Shomin, Jeanne (Shorty) Stockard, Tom (Marci) Shomin and Nancy Shomin; his Anishinaabe children Julie Shananaquet, Cathy ( JD) Gibson and Dennis (Andi) Shananaquet; his grandchildren Shannon ( Joseph) Evans, Adam LaLonde, Blain Jackson, James (Hanna) Shomin, Mathew (Stephanie) Shomin, Rachel (Rob) Ribeiro, Heather ( Josh) Shomin, Alicia Shomin, Brandon Shomin and Zachary Shomin; his greatgrandchildren Lilian Shomin, Patrick Ribeiro, Aliazah, Isaiah, Josiah, Pablo, Arayah and Lynessa Shomin and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Barbara; his siblings Enos, Edward, Mabel, Bennett, Albert, Richard, Irene, Frank, Mildred, Gordon, Mary (in infancy) and Marie; his Anishinaabe children David and Mary Lou Shananaquet and two grandchildren Derek Jackson and Nicole LaLonde.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 18 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cross Village. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.