Edward W. Emery Jr.
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Edward Wilder Emery, Jr. passed away October 3, 2019 in Manchester, Michigan after a lengthy illness. Although his territory became quite small in his later years, his kingdom remained vast. Equipped with a radio, newspapers, books and a cup of coffee, he always knew what was happening in the world and was ready to discuss it. His memory was astonishing; he enjoyed telling old stories and hearing new ones. He listened to Saturday night bluegrass and read the Sunday morning comics with fervor. He was well read, and the only thing he liked better than a good book was a corny joke. A life-long Cubs fan, his perseverance was rewarded in 2016 when they won the World Series. Ed was the son of Joan Wilder Emery and Edward W. Emery, Sr. His siblings are Lucy (Karl) Otzen, Joan (George) Lammers and Will (Bonnie Serkin) Emery. Ed was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1934. He grew up in Chicago and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he spent many happy days on the water. He attended Thatcher School in California before entering Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Ginny. He served in the North Atlantic on a Navy destroyer escort from 1957 to 1960. Ed held many occupations in his life, eventually settling into farming in Bedford, Indiana. While in Bedford, he was very grateful to serve in the Salvation Army as a sergeant major. He and Ginny divorced in 1970 but remarried in 2000. In 2009 they moved to Manchester, Michigan where he spent his final years. He held a special reverence for nature and delighted at the sight of a rare bird or family of deer. He read his Bible every day, and his strong faith sustained him through his long illness. Ed believed he had been granted several second chances, and he worked hard to deserve them. Throughout his illness, his concern was for his wife and family, rarely for himself. He mentored, entertained and educated them; he and taught them how to live and also how to die. He believed in leaving this world better than he had found it, and that is exactly what he did. He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Burch Emery; their children together are Edward (Gail Sebesta) Emery III, William Emery, and Anne (Thomas) Adams. His children with his second wife, Marlene (Batz) Emery, include Timothy Emery, Joan Emery and Christopher Emery. His grandchildren are Carli Emery, Kate Emery, Eamon Emery, Grace Adams, Martha Adams, and Stacy Dunning. A Memorial Service will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea, Michigan on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Donations in his honor can be made to the Bedford, Indiana Salvation Army, 1629 K. St., Bedford, IN 47421.