Edward Obermeyer

When recalling the life of Ed Obermeyer, we are reminded of his kind and friendly nature. He was a man devoted to the woman he loved, and the family he treasured. Ed had a great love for the outdoors. Throughout his life, he found pleasure fishing beside still waters, and hunting provided him with a sense of adventure. A friend to many, he shared the blessing of good friendships, and loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own. Never to be forgotten, memories of Ed will continue to fill the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Eds’ story began in the year 1925 as a sense of gaiety filled the air. Charlie Chaplin flicks and Babe Ruth baseball was all the rage while the Roaring Twenties brought forth the Charleston and the infamous flapper. Walter P. Chrysler founded his auto firm, and America was experiencing a time of rapid growth. Yet nestled in the small, quiet Michigan community of Nessen City, Edward J. and Agnes N. Curry were happily celebrating the birth of their little boy, Edward on March 11, 1925. Adding to their bustling household, young Edward was the 12th of their 13 children. To support their thriving family, Edward's father owned and operated the general store in town while his mother looked after the home front.

Having had eight brothers and four sisters, there was never a lack of anyone to play with in Ed's early years. He shared a close bond with each of his siblings, and they remained close all through their lives. Growing up, Ed enjoyed a childhood typical of the times, and great memories during the holidays spent simply enjoying family. The onset of the Great Depression cast a shadow of hardship on all, and Ed's family was no exception. Due to the Depression and being such a large family didn’t allow for family vacations.

In time, Ed and his family moved to Grand Rapids where Ed attended St. Mary’s School. There he played on the school’s basketball team, and went on to attend and graduate from Union High School with the Class of 1944. In his early years he also liked to ski, and he later developed a liking for snowmobiles. Devout to his Catholic faith, Ed was a member of St. Mary's Church where Ed remained a faithful member throughout his life.

With World War II at hand, Ed proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the war as an aircraft mechanic. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Ed returned home to Michigan. Along with a business partner, Ed was part owner of a Standard Oil Service Station in the Grand Rapids area. He came to know many people, and was well known for his likable nature and caring demeanor. Although thoroughly committed to his work, Ed found time for the special people in his life which included his nieces and nephews. He loved attending their many recitals, school, and sporting events. To Ed, he could not have loved them any more than if they were his own children.

By the time Ed was in his mid-forties, many came to think he would remain single. But when he met Donna in early 1970 through a few relatives, Ed knew he found the girl of his dreams. After dating for about a year, Ed and Donna were blessed in marriage on April 24, 1971 at St. Mary's Church before family and friends. They enjoyed a memorable honeymoon in Lakeland, Florida before coming home to begin their new lives together. They started out in a house on Lincoln Street before building their forever home on Elmridge together in 1976 which remains their home to this day. Although they never had children of their own, Ed and Donna were deeply involved in the lives of their nieces and nephews. They shared in their joys and achievements, as well as disappointments with loving, unconditional support.

Ed was a true outdoorsman, and loved to fish and hunt from his earliest years. He spent many trips out west and up north to hunt elk. Each November, Ed and several of his friends headed to Drummond Island, which Ed counted as one of his favorite places. For up to two weeks at a time, they stayed in tents while deer hunting. Ed’s fishing trips were fly-in trips into remote areas of Canada for a week to ten days. Their cabin at Hardy Dam was also a place where Ed loved to be. He was serious about his passion for hunting and fishing. It brought him great joy, solitude, great times shared with friends, and a sense of accomplishment in many respects.

Over the years, Ed and Donna took in their love for travel. They traveled to wonderful destinations including Nova Scotia, the east coast, and Williamsburg. They also spent three weeks traveling to many of the national parks out west as well as numerous trips to Las Vegas. In his spare time, Ed enjoyed collecting coins as a hobby. He liked reading, especially anything authored by Lewis Lamoure. He enjoyed the National Geographic and the Reader's Digest, too. Ed was fond of classical music, but he also enjoyed listening to and attending his nieces and nephews piano recitals. He loved it when they began taking piano lessons, a skill he always personally longed for. When it came to dining out, Ed preferred Cracker Barrel, and he liked having pineapple upside-down cake for his birthday every year. Ed also liked baking his own bread. It was delicious and he knew his way around a kitchen, but boy could he make a mess!

Through the heart of Ed Obermeyer, we reflect on a life well lived, and well loved. He added much to the lives around him. Deeply missed, he will be forever remembered.

Mr. Edward J. Obermeyer, age 90, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Ed was preceded in death by his eight brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Donna; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Phila White, Ramon and Sally Parker, Selma Obermeyer; and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Friends and relatives may visit with his family at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 423 First St. NW, on Friday, April 17, from 10:00 AM until the time of the Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM. Contributions in Ed’s memory to St. Mary’s Church or Spectrum Health Hospice would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory of Ed and to sign his online guest book.