Edward Louis Waidely

Edward Louis Waidely, age 90, of Marshall died Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at the Marshall Nursing and Rehabilitation Community.

"Coach" Ed was born April 29, 1929 in Lansing Michigan to Vera (Gruesbeck) and Louis Waidely. He graduated from Sexton High School. He was planning on going to Michigan State College after high school, but family illness brought him to Marshall. There he met Madelon Fox at BYF and a romance started. He worked at Schulers and a Marshall foundry, until he was called to service in the Army and started out at Fort Custer. Because of his love of baseball, he ended up at Ft. Knox. He was a member of the Ft. Knox baseball team, traveling with the team.

He served in Korea, where he was sent behind enemy lines to put up communication lines for our troops.

He married Madelon on July 11, 1954 at the First Baptist Church. Madelon, who was already at Michigan State College was joined by Ed who came on the G.I. Bill. Ed was in the Horticulture and Landscape Architect field.

Ed was an avid Michigan State University fan and attended many athletic events.

Finishing school, they headed back to Marshall where Ed joined Madelon's father at Fox Florist.

He had many hobbies- ball, which he played and coached many teams. Bowling, he bowled in Marshall, Battle Creek and with his son Don in Hillsdale. He was a great fisherman and taught many people how to fish and how to catch a fish. In his early years, he was a hunter.

He was very active in the First Baptist Church, Sunday School Superintendent, always brought flowers for church service. He was a deacon for many years and in 2019 he was awarded the Emeritus deacon.

He was a great gardener of flowers and vegetables. He did flowers for the Marshall Historic Homes. He was a great cook, always making the best meals. Great cookie maker. He would make many cookies for friends and family at Christmas time. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Marshall Area Garden Club Inc. He was a past member of the Exchange Club and the North Eagle Street Group.

In 1976, Ed and Madelon moved to Lyon Lake In 2001 they were on the garden tour and had many wonderful years there.

After 40 years of owning Fox Florist, he retired. Don thought he should keep busy, so Ed went to pump gas for 25 years on Wednesdays in Tekonsha. The Enquirer News wrote an article about and it called "Wednesdays with Ed".

He was a wonderful Christian, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all.

He is survived by his wife Madelon of 65 years, children- Don (Cindy) Waidely of Hillsdale, Melissa Bernier of Eaton Rapids and AnnMarie (Jan) VanDijk of the Netherlands. Grandchildren- Stephanie (Andrew) Steiner of Warsaw, Indiana, Amanda Waidely of Hillsdale, Jesse (Cassie) Mroz of Owosso, Brande (Jonny) Baxter of Portland, Kim (Remco) Sour of the Netherlands, Chanyenne VanDijk of the Netherlands. Great grandchildren- Lauren Steiner, Hannah Steiner, Calvin Mroz, Milo Sour and Braxton Kauffman. His sister Marion (Steve) Weers and brother-in-law Art Simmons along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Vera (Gruesbeck) Waidely and sisters Margaret "Peg" Simmons and Catherine Marie Waidely.

A visitation will take place Monday, August 9th from 10-11am at Marshall First Baptist Church, 305 W. Michigan Ave Marshall MI 49068 with a memorial service taking place at 11am.  Interment will follow at Lyon Lake Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Hospice, Elara Hospice and First Baptist Church of Marshall.

To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US 27 N, Marshall, MI  49068