//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpgObituary
Edward V. Soltys, 78, of Traverse City, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. Ed was born April 30, 1930, in Grand Rapids, to the late Alexander and Stephania (Arszulowicz) Soltys.
He married Mary L. Beebe on July 11, 1959, in Grand Rapids. Together they had three beautiful children.
Ed honorably served our country in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant. While in the Air Force, he installed microwave towers in Europe. He loved the opportunity to see and ski Germany, Switzerland, France and Austria. His time in Europe included working with the ski patrol.
Ed worked 42 years with Michigan Bell, beginning his career as a linesman working outdoors, which he loved. He was promoted to several supervisory positions which took him and his family to the Lansing and Kalamazoo areas.
In 1980 Ed and his family moved to Traverse City, completing his career as District Manager of I and M, Engineering and Construction. He retired in 1989. Ed made many lifelong friends while working at Michigan Bell.
Ed was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Telephone Pioneers of America.
He enjoyed golf, working around the house and reading. Ed truly treasured time spent hunting and fishing with friends and family at his cabin on the Pere Marquette River.
Surviving Ed are his wife, Mary; son, Randy (Shannon) Soltys of Cedar Springs; daughter, Theresa "Terri" (David) Baker; daughter, Tammi (Rick) Budinger, also of Traverse City; four grandchildren including, Dustin Baker, Michael Baker, Ricky Budinger and Alex Odren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was devoted to his little dog, Katie, and she returned his devotion two-fold. She will miss him dearly.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond and Joseph; and three sisters, Stacie Bohr, Alice Gillis and Florence Simon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation held one hour prior. The Rev. Fr. Edwin Thome will serve as celebrant. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Father Fred Foundation.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City