Edward Whitney

Edward Whitney was a dedicated father and husband who instilled a very strong sense of values in his children. He judged himself by his hard work ethic, his devotion to family and his love of nature and outdoors. Whether it was fishing on Sugarloaf Lake, painting picturesque scenes of nature or enjoying spending time with his children and grandchildren, his life was full of blessings.

Edward Whitney entered the world in the beginning of the Roaring 20s, a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on May 27, 1921, to Edward and Trilla (Spencer) Whitney in Kibby, Michigan. His father worked very hard as a salesman and did his best to support his family. Ed grew up on the north end of Kalamazoo and being one of three children in the depression era, times were often difficult but the family was filled with love. He quickly learned at an early age the importance of hard work – a value he would carry with him throughout his life in whatever he did. To help earn extra money for the family in the hard times, he would some times work with his father selling celery. Ed also struggled when it came to school because of a mastoid that left him deaf in one ear. He made no bones about it, to him school was frustrating and he was always behind. Unfortunately in those days there wasn’t extra help for special need children. He attended Lincoln School and Harding School where he mastered the skill of lip reading and Kalamazoo Central until the 10th grade. Like many young men of the time, Ed wanted to do his patriotic duty and tried to enlist with all four branches of the military, but because of his hearing disability, he was turned down. Eventually when the war was at its height, Ed was drafted but restricted to limited duty. He was stationed in San Diego, California and served as Military Police. Ed was proud to be an American and wanted to do his part not just because of the war but also for the reason that he lost several buddies on the USS Arizona during the war.

After returning from duty, Ed decided to go on a blind date and met Betty J. Vleugel. It was love at first sight and a whirlwind romance ensued. Ed wasn’t one to waste a good thing so after three months of courting, he and Betty were married on August 7, 1948, by the Justice of the Peace. The newlyweds began their life together living in Kalamazoo and later on Long Lake where they welcomed four sons, Steven, Michael, Edward and Robert, to the Whitney household. Ed and Betty eventually moved their family to Mendon in the wide-open country, where they raised their sons.

Ed worked hard to support his family. He dedicated 33 years of service working for Fuller Transmission (Eaton Corporation) as a machinist before retiring in 1979. Ed was a Union Steward and because of his impeccable work ethics, he was well respected by his co-workers and management. He was always a fan of the underdog, because he could empathize with them, but he didn’t let anyone take advantage of his own disability either. Betty knew that Ed wouldn’t be able to sit still for long after retirement, so she got him a job working with her as a part-time custodian at the Mendon Schools. They worked together as a team from 1980 until 1987.

Ed dedicated himself to each job he undertook, whether it was remodeling the house, making woodworking pieces of furniture like coffee tables, doll furniture or toys for his children and grandchildren or simply tending to his beautiful garden. Ed was not only a crafted woodworker, but also an artist with an incredible vision. He put these visions on canvas painting with watercolors the beautiful scenes of the woodland nature. Ed also enjoyed being in the great outdoors hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Some of his children’s fondest memories were on Sugarloaf Lake where their father taught them how to fish. Betty didn’t know the joys of fishing and camping until Ed entered her life. Although she enjoyed these activities, she didn’t have the patience to fish with him. If Ed couldn’t be in the great outdoors enjoying his much loved activities, he kept up on them by reading magazines.

Of all the wonderful things in Ed’s life, spending time with his loved ones towered above the rest. Because of the hard economic times in the world in his growing up years, Ed believed in putting work first and family second, but succeeded in providing the best for his family. He also valued his wedding rings and watch, while his fishing poles and tackles boxes were prized possessions to him simply because he never had much growing up. The day that stands out above all the rest in his mind was the day his wife Betty and their two youngest sons graduated together from Mendon High School in 1975. He took great pride in this day.

Edward Whitney died on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at the Alamo Nursing Home. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Trilla Whitney, sister, Vera Lovely, a daughter, Julia, and a great grandchild, Brady Jones. He is survived by his wife, Betty Whitney, 4 sons: Steven (Bea) of Holland, Michael of Ottawa Lake, Edward (Joan) of Sturgis and Robert (Beverly) of Mendon; a brother, Pat, 12 grandchildren: Sarah (Michael) Catlin, Joel (Karri) Whitney, Jennifer (Frank) Dettmar, Christi (Britt) Jones, Lisa (George) Ramsey, Kelly Whitney, Edward Whitney, Amy Whitney, Jason Whitney, Eric Whitney, Joshua Whitney, and Amanda Grant-Whitney; 7 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may spend time with Ed’s family on Thursday, January 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren, Vicksburg Chapel where his Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 16. Burial, with honors will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. To read Ed’s complete life story, share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society, please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com .

Ed had overcome a difficult childhood to become a hardworking man with great integrity and a giving heart. Family was the most cherished thing in his life. All who knew Edward Whitney will treasure his memory.