This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zk.2ADI/706 Message Board Post: Edward Wilwerding, 71 February 11, 1930–July 27, 2001 Edward John Wilwerding, son of Isidore and Helen (Scheuring) Wilwerding, was born Feb. 11, 1930, in Portsmouth. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, and attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School also in Earling. He entered the United States Army Jan. 22, 1952. He entered an eight week training course at Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. Edward was awarded the Korean Service Medal, two bronze stars, a Meritorious Unit Citations National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged Oct. 21, 1953. He married Grace Dotzler Sept. 20, 1954. Four children were born to that union. Grace died March 23, 1961. Edward later married Alma Bredensteiner Sept. 26, 1964, at the Shenandoah Catholic Church. He worked as an independent milk hauler from 1967 until 1992. He was last employed by Hancock Elevator, retiring in 1999. He died July 27, 2001, at Little Flower Haven in Earling, at age 71 years, five months and 16 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Grace. Survivors include his wife, Alma Wilwerding of Defiance; his children, Linda Barragan of Defiance; Diane (Emeldo) Martinez of Omaha, Ne; Denny Wilwerding and his special friend, Kim Micek of Omaha, Ne; Julie Mathison of Modale; Joanne (Mike) Erlbacher of Earling; Pat Pauley of Defiance; 13 grandchildren; his brothers and sister, Bernic Wilweding (Mary) of Earling; Howie Wilwerding (Nancy) of Boca Raton, Fl., and Jan Larrison of Defiance; his mother-in-law, Violet Bredensteiher of Shenandoah; and other relatives. A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 30, 2001, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, with Rev. Michael Berner celebrant. Military rites were conducted in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Defiance, by the American Legion Post No. 707 of Defiance and Westphalia with Bob Scheels, Melvin Bloomer, Eldon Erickson, Donny Dotzler, George Erps, Bob Heimerman and Dennis Wieland honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers were Mike Larrison, Jeff Bredensteiner, Jim Dotzler, Stephan Erlbacher, Sean Barragan, Tony Wilwerding, Emeldo Martinez, Jr. and Paul Wilwerding. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.