Edwin Baal

With great sadness, we announce the loss of Edwin Baal, aged 82. He passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024. Born on January 12, 1942, in Brestovac, Yugoslavia, Ed's life was a testament to resilience, love, and the American Dream.

After surviving a prison camp in Russia during World War II, Ed emigrated to the United States when he was 13. For the rest of his life, Ed carried the scars on his back from hot oil as punishment in the prison camp and the memories of escaping to a displaced person’s camp in Austria. His journey to the U.S.A. in a converted B-52 bomber was paid for in exchange for labor provided to farmers in Dayton, Ohio.

Ed met his lifelong love and future wife, Jennie Doris Weyrick, in Ohio at a soda shop when he was 17 and she was 15. They married in 1960, welcomed their daughter Laura to the world, and moved to Chicago shortly thereafter. Ed supported his young wife and child by working during the day and at night, attended school to earn his diploma. Due to his hard work, he gained his citizenship in 1963.

Ed's diligence in becoming a citizen gained him a better understanding of the country than most. This knowledge aided him in earning a job as a Chicago police officer against 10,000 applicants. He served in this position for nearly 10 years, between 1964 and 1974. On July 31, 1969, while reinforcing his fellow officers in a shootout with more than 30 police cars, Ed was shot in the hands by a shotgun blast. Ed again suffered injuries in the line of duty on August 13, 1970 when five persons beat him into unconsciousness and nearly paralyzed him for life during a traffic arrest.

At the behest of his wife Doris, Ed left the police force in Chicago to pursue a career in management, and later, ownership, with McDonald’s. After selling of his possessions, and risking everything, the family of four purchased a McDonald’s in Paducah, Kentucky. Ed lived in the restaurant and poured his heart and soul into making the American Dream a reality. He expanded to own multiple stores and became a successful restauranteur.

Small town life caught Ed's eye during his frequent trips to check on a newly acquired McDonald's in Grand Junction in 1980. He purchased property in Mesa, Colorado and in 1981 built and financed the construction of the Wagon Wheel, a local favorite in Mesa until 1994. Ed closed the chapter of owning McDonald’s franchises in 1983 and worked towards adding hospitality to his resume with the inclusion of a hotel and bar to the Wagon Wheel.

Ed’s never-ending yearning to fulfill the American Dream caused him to purchase a 350+ acre ranch outside of Mesa in 1989. Ed’s unique upbringing and experiences was reflected in his unique ranching style. He filled the ranch with everything from African Guineafowl and emu to the more traditional cattle, horses and sheep.

The final evolution of Ed’s success story concluded with the selling of the family ranch in 2004 and the purchase of hotels in Grand Junction in 2002. Ed owned, and the whole family helped operate, three different hotels in Grand Junction. When Ed retired and the last hotel was sold in 2016, he briefly spent time traveling with Doris, before finally relaxing and settling into retirement.

Ed is survived by his wife Doris, daughter and son-in-law Laura and David Lehmann, grandson Eric Lehmann and his wife Amber, grandson Karl Lehmann and his fiancée Bekah, and great grandson Levi Lehmann. He was a loving foundation to the family and a pillar for many in the community. His guidance, personal touch, and love will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on July 1, 2024 at 1 PM at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Ed’s life and share their cherished memories.

In honor of Ed’s tremendous love of flowers, the family requests that flowers be sent to Callahan-Edfast Mortuary for his memorial service.

Edwin Baal's legacy of kindness, hard work, and devotion will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace.