Ed was proud to be a veteran of the US Army and an engineering graduate from IIT. He worked in procurement before starting his own business in the 1970s. Dad enjoyed travelling and ensuring that our family visited every national park (and read every historical marker along the way), as we packed up the trailer and camped for several weeks each summer. He was proud of his country and was recently privileged to be a part of an Honor Flight to Washington, DC with fellow veterans from the Korean War & WWII.
Dad enjoyed fishing on his the BCCT – the Bohemian Canadian Camp Trips, with his friend Don and also enjoyed fishing with his childhood friend Elmer, who has been one of Dad’s friends for nearly 80 years. He enjoyed polkas, playing the accordion, BBQs, and cocktails.
Dad volunteered his time to the Czech-American Sokol Organization, teaching classes, holding various offices, and volunteering his time as a handy man with his close friends to keep the gym in good working order.
He was most proud of the home he and mom built in Wisconsin. There, Dad supported the Lions Club and volunteered at the elementary school to help young children with math and vocational training. He was an avid reader – admitting that he didn’t always understand physics, black holes, and deep science, but he worked hard to learn. He also refurbished discarded fishing poles & gave them to the kids at the school.
Ultimately, Dad passed away exactly as he stubbornly requested: in the home that he built. He is preceded in his death by his father and our dearest Babi. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, EllenJeanne, his two daughters Diana Rhoades and Anita Skotnicki, their husbands, Bruce Rhoades and Doug Skotnicki. His grandchildren include Kyle Rhoades, Keith Rhoades, Kerri Skotnicki and Kelly Cline. Ed recently met their great-grandson, Logan Guy Rhoades. He is also survived by his sister, Mildred Schnabl.
Visitation and Memorial services will be held at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Lisle, IL on Sunday, May 20 from 4:00-9:00. The American Sokol Service will take place at 7:30pm. A private interment will be on Monday for immediate family in Bohemian National Cemetery. Please send any donations to
• American Sokol Organization – https://american-sokol.org/donate/
• National Park Service -- https://donate.nationalparks.org/page/10780/donate
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