In Memoriam: Paul Mages

TOPEKA, Kan. - Paul Mages, former owner of Schendel Pest Services, passed away on Oct. 11, in Shawnee, Kan. He was 77.

Paul grew up in Lawrence, Kan., and began working as a termite technician for what was then Schendel Pest Control in Lawrence, when he was 18. He was later a pest control technician and a supervisor in that office. In 1967, Paul moved to the Topeka office, where he was a supervisor and a manager. 

When Schendel founder Robert Schendel retired in 1979, Paul and his brother-in-law, Jon Isaacs, bought the Schendel branches in Topeka and Lawrence. They grew these two branches into a company that eventually served eight states. Jon retired in 2003, and Paul in 2006. When Paul retired, his son-in-law. Brent Boles, who had joined Schendel in 1994, became the full owner of Schendel Pest Services.

“I was lucky to learn many things while working with Paul,” Boles said. “Many of them were business-related: how to run a pest management company, how to sell pest services, how to inspect for termites. But more importantly, Paul was an amazing example of a servant leader. His care and respect for our co-workers, for our customers, and even for our competitors set an example that many of us who worked with him will always remember and strive to live up to.” 

During his career, Paul helped educate and develop many technicians, managers, and salespeople. He served as president of the Kansas Pest Control Association and Chairman of the Copesan Board of Directors, supported the National Pest Management Association, and attended many industry meetings and functions.

He did all this without the want of recognition; he simply loved serving those in his company, his community and his industry. 

Paul was also an avid gardener and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Ann Albers; daughters Angela (Brent) Boles, Theresa Lemus (Rory Hickock), and Paula Mages; six grandchildren and one great-grandson; two sisters and a brother; and many friends and colleagues. 

Funeral arrangements: Services will be Oct, 29, 2022, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Topeka. Family will receive friends from 10:30-11:30 am followed by funeral mass at 11:30 am.