Edwin G. Edelblute

On Sunday, November 18, 2012, Edwin G. Edelblute left this world for his Heavenly residence. He was born on October 22, 1920 in Ostrander, Ohio. He was the oldest son of Ellsworth and Cora Gibson Edelblute. Eddie graduated from Ostrander High School in 1938, where he was class president, a member of the FFA, and lettered in basketball and baseball. He left Ostrander that year to enroll in the Summer Self Help Program at Rio Grande College. While at Rio Grande, Eddie was the editor of the 1940 Grandion, a member of the Student Council and Sigma Lambda Tau fraternity. He played basketball and baseball for the Rio Redmen. It was at Rio Grande that he met Marie Meadows. On July 7, 1944, Eddie and Marie were married at First Baptist Church in Gallipolis. At the time, he was a weatherman with the Army Air Corps. Upon discharge from the military, Eddie and Marie moved back to Gallipolis, and he began working at Empire Furniture. He worked at the Empire for 18 years. In 1964, Eddie and Bill Matthews purchased a Gulf Oil Distributorship in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. They worked this job until 1980, when the business sold. He continued to work for the purchaser until his retirement at the age of 62. After retirement, Eddie and Marie enjoyed spending six months of the year in Auburndale, Florida. Eddie was an avid fisherman and spent many hours enjoying this sport and even won a few tournaments…landing his 10-pounder and others. He also enjoyed shuffleboarding with the other retirees. Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, and grandson, John Ryan Harris. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law: Marsha and Jeff Smith of Gallipolis, and Meda and Dave Harris of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren: Dr. J. Nathan (Meredith) Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kristen (Matthew) Minor of San Antonio, Texas, and Sarah Smith of Gallipolis; great grandchildren: Tyson and Olivia Smith; brothers: Jack (Kathy) Edelblute and Art (Martha) Edelblute, both of Ostrander, Ohio. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Gallipolis, Ohio and Faith Baptist Church, Winter Haven, Florida. He served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist. Eddie was a member of the Gideons, the Gallia County Senior Citizen Center where he enjoyed playing pool, and a Kentucky Colonel. Eddie not only enjoyed hunting and fishing, but he was also a loyal supporter of Ohio Valley Christian School soccer team. He was an accomplished woodworker leaving behind many treasured pieces for family and friends. His family would like to thank those that visited, sent cards and prayed for him during his illness. They would also like to thank Four Winds Community of Jackson, Ohio, for the excellent care and compassion given. Most of all, they would like to thank God for the gift of salvation which Eddie received at the age of 15, for the 92 years of longevity given to him, and for the blessed hope that Eddie is living in his Heavenly Home! Visitation will be held at Willis Funeral Home on Friday, November 23, 2012, from noon to 2:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held at the same location beginning at 2:00 with Pastor Alvis Pollard officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. If you wish to make a charitable gift in memory of Eddie, please consider: First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1100 Fourth Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631 or Gideons International, P.O. Box 1104, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. “ (Romans 5:1)