Edsel W. Bandlow, Jr.

Edsel William Bandlow Jr (Eddie) left his mortal body to meet his savior, Jesus Christ on April 1st 2022 after complications from a failed cervical spine surgery at Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was 71 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 50 yrs, Ann (Tanner) Bandlow; his beloved daughter, Nikki (Bob) Staley; his pride and joy, grandson, Zach Watson and granddaughter, Olivia Staley; sisters, Jan (Clint) Marsh, Kathy (Chad) Dutcher and Diane Johnson; 25 much loved nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edsel W. Bandlow Sr. and his mother, Adele Bandlow.

Ed was born on March 12,1951 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan where he lived until age 2. The family then relocated to Northern Michigan where his father was the GM of Mancelona Metal Products. They settled on Manistee Lake in Kalkaska, Michigan where he would spend his formative years.

He graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1969 where he excelled in every sport he played and holds a record for receiving 5 varsity letters in one academic year. He loved competitive sports as well as downhill skiing, water skiing, swimming, hunting and fishing. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University with a basketball scholarship. One year into college he enlisted in the USAF where he served 4 years active duty and 2 years reserve.

On June 12,1971 he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Ann Tanner in Kalkaska, Michigan. Ed was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, Michigan from 1971-1974. On December, 14,1971 they welcomed their only child, a daughter Nicole. In 1974 Ed was honorably discharged from the USAF and he and family moved back to their hometown of Kalkaska, Michigan where they resided until 1976. During his time in the Air Force, he trained to become a Dental Lab Technician and with that training he would spend his entire professional career in the dental field.

In 1976 the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he managed 2 dental labs for Dental Health of Arizona. He, Ann and Nikki loved their time in the warm desert climate but Northern Michigan and family called them back home. After moving back to Kalkaska, Michigan in 1980, he was employed by Dr. Don Sheller in Elk Rapids, Michigan where he would go on to help form The Denture Care Clinic in Traverse City, Michigan. There he would spend the next 33 years until his retirement under Dr. Brian Fisher in 2013.

Ed was an avid golfer and softball player and was instrumental in forming the Kalkaska Mens softball league and association. He was the president for several years where he organized fundraising for new softball fields in Kalkaska. He played first base for several different teams where they won many local and regional softball tournaments. He retired from softball at age 45.

Ed and family moved from Kalkaska, Michigan to the Traverse City area where he started a part-time home contracting company "Cherry Country Homes". He and wife,Ann built and sold approximately 20 homes in the Acme-Williamsburg area. Ed was very talented in design and stonework.

He loved boating on Elk and Torch Lakes and Grand Traverse Bay, vacationing in St.Pete Beach, Florida, walking on the beach, relaxing with friends, his rocking chair and spending time with his family.

In 2013 after his retirement he and Ann moved to St. Pete Beach full time. This was his dream and they spent the next several years with their Florida friends, enjoying warm weather, sunsets, golf carting and entertaining visitors. Ed also went back to work part time to keep busy, employed by Dr. Jack Penny as his lab-tech from 2013-2018. He loved being able to ride his bicycle or scooter to work on the beach.

In 2020 Ed and Ann purchased an RV in Elk Rapids, Michigan where they would spend their summers back home and officially became "snowbirds".

He believed in The Lord Jesus Christ and knew that because of God's grace and sacrifice that his forever home would be in heaven. He had no guilt in life and no fear of death because of his faith.

He was the center of his family's life. He was extremely humorous, generous, loving and kind.At times exasperating! His former boss, Dr. Brian Fisher coined the phrase "it's Eddie's world and we're all just trying to live in it". It became our family "motto".

He was larger than life and leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends. He will be missed so much.

"Hail Tanuga Eddie"

A Celebration of his wonderful Life will take place on Monday, June 20th at Edward C Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids, Michigan

4-8pm

Cremation has taken place as per his wishes.