Edwin Lindberg

All who knew Edwin “Ed” Lindberg would agree that he was one of the most hardworking people around. He was a strong and focused man who gave everything his all, and he loved nothing more than using his time and talents to bless others in ways both great and small. A devoted family man, Ed was an amazing husband and father who loved witnessing his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren he adored. A lifelong resident of the community he loved, he was the sort of person everyone could count on. Deeply loved, Ed will be forever missed.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. Countless young Americans were proudly fighting for the preservation of our freedoms while those who remained stateside became familiar with rationing on common goods. It was just after the war had come to an end in 1945 that Edwin Leroy and Mareta Etolla (Kopp) Lindberg were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of May unfolded on the horizon in Jamestown, Michigan, in 1946. Their wait was over on May 25th when the baby boy they named Edwin William drew his first breath. He was the second of four children as he was raised in the family home at 2055 Riley Street in Jamestown alongside his older sister, Marilyn, and his younger siblings, Sheryl and David. Ed’s father was from Grand Rapids and was a foundry worker at Wolverine Brass while his mother was a homemaker who moved here from Saskatchewan, Canada. As a family they attended Jamestown Reformed Church.

In many ways Ed was a young boy of his generation. He was close to all his siblings, and they enjoyed spending time together. They gathered at home for holidays and made memories on trips to Detroit where they went to the Tigers games and also to the Vernor’s factory. On Memorial Day they usually went into Grand Rapids to spend the day at the park or John Ball Zoo. Ed worked and played around the family farm, and he dammed a creek to flood an ice pond where he played hockey in the winter. As a student he attended Jamestown Elementary and Hudsonville High School. When he was a bit older he spent his summers working at the area farms. In his free time, Ed enjoyed softball, soccer, and ice skating.

As his family and friends can attest, Ed’s work ethic was unmatched. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and then completed his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. From there Ed was sent to Ft. Gordon, Georgia, for his advanced military training for military police, and for the rest of his life he was so proud to have served in the military for a total of 14 months. He made his career at Michcon/ DTE gas company until retiring.

There was never anything of greater importance to Ed than his loved ones. He was blessed to become a father to four children including Lisa, Rachael, Edwin, and Jessica. Ed and Sharon had both been working in the service dispatch office for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company when they met. Ed was an emergency service dispatcher. They dated for five months and were then united in marriage on June 19, 1981, in the judge’s office in Lansing. They later exchanged their vows at Parish of the Holy Spirit in Grand Rapids. After enjoying a camping trip in Florida, the newlyweds spent a short time living in Walker and Grandville before buying a house at 2625 Seventh Street NW. Some of Ed’s favorite times were spent camping with his family. They camped all around Michigan, and they also took three major camping trips - one to Maritimes/ East Coast, one to the Western national parks, and then a trip South to New Orleans and Florida. There were also a few shorter trips including one to Washington, D.C. and a Lake Huron Circle Tour among others. Ed was an active part of his children's lives, and he believed that discipline was an important part of shaping them into responsible adults and building their character. During their retirement years, Ed and his wife traveled more including trips to San Antonio, California, Grand Canyon, Newfoundland and Labrador, North Carolina's Outer Banks, Canadian Rockies, Glacier National Park, and other trips that kept them a bit closer to home.

Over the years Ed was a man of many interests. He was a man of faith who loved reading his Bible more than anything else, which was something he did every day. In addition to his Bible, Ed’s prized possessions were his truck and motorcycle. He not only loved riding his motorcycle, but he also loved watching sports with his son, and the many friends he met bowling. Ed enjoyed music including classic rock, country, gospel, classical, and new age.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Edwin “Ed” Lindberg made a significant change in the lives of so many. He was dependable, supportive, and had a great sense of humor to boot, and with his warm personality he drew others near with ease. An amazing provider for his family, he was such a blessing to them. Ed leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever treasure.

LINDBERG, Edwin “Ed” Grand Rapids, MI, Age 71 passed away May 19, 2018 at home, surrounded by his family. Ed was born May 25, 1946 in Jamestown, MI to the late Edwin and Mareta (Kopp) Lindberg. He was a Vietnam veteran, proudly serving in the U.S. Army Military Police. Ed retired from Michcon/ DTE gas company. On June 19, 1981, Ed married Sharon Luxford. Ed is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sharon; children, Lisa (Scott) Buchanan of Jamestown, Rachael (Carl) Rowden of Forest Hills, Edwin Lindberg of Chicago, IL, Jessica (Austen) TenHopen of Walker; grandchildren, Jenna, Jordan, Aaron, Nicholas, Cole, Emily, Tony, Sidalee, and Mason. Also surviving are siblings, Marilyn (Nels Thompson) Nash of Owatonna, MN, Sheryl (John) Bloem of Jenison, David Lindberg of Lansing; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Wednesday May 23, at Parish of the Holy Spirit, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Ed's web page to read more of his life story, leave a memory or condolence at www.lifestorynet.com.