Edwin J. Goldner

Edwin J. “Ed” Goldner, 91 of Eau Claire, took his lord’s hand on Monday, September 28, 2009 following a brief illness at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, at Chapel Hill United Methodist, 4071 Naomi Rd, Sodus, MI. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The funeral arrangements are with Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. A lifelong resident, Edwin was born to Spencer and Nina Goldner on April 28, 1918 in Benton Harbor. The fifth of five children and the only boy, Edwin was doted on by his sisters Chloa and Thelma. On July 17, 1940, he was married to the love of his life, Carolyn “;Carol” Koncel, with whom he enjoyed 69 years of devotion, friendship, and hand-holding. To this union were born 2 sons, Donald Edwin and Edwin Frank. A retired machinist for Whirlpool Corporation, Ed enjoyed nothing more than his time with family. He taught many a child, grandchild, and great-grandchild how to ride a bike or tractor. He and Carol were “snowbirds” for many years enjoying their homes in both Sodus (and Pipestone Lake) and Fort Meyers, FL. They traveled extensively, visiting most all of the 50 states as well as Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas. Among those who will forever remember Ed are his wife Carol and son Donald (Norma) Goldner of Eau Claire, daughter-in-law Faye (Lynn) Goldner of Schoolcraft, grandchildren Beth (Mike) DeCoursey of Saint Joseph, Brenda (Dave) Seeley of Portage, Bonnie (Jeff) Hackman of Queen Creek, AZ, Carol (Bill) Martin of Eau Claire, Jason (Jennifer) McIntyre of Battle Creek, Stephany (Mark) Baliff of Galesburg, and Matthew Goldner of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, Spencer and Quentin DeCoursey, Dalton, Brian, and Megan Seeley, Emma Hackman, Sami, Lexi, and Kasi Martin, Ryland and Hudson McIntyre, Josie, Avery, Elena, and Sawyer Baliff; sister Thelma Hass, brother-in-laws Ray (Marla) Cerny, Bob Cerny, and numerous nieces and nephews. Those awaiting him in heaven include his parents, son Edwin F. Goldner, and sisters Chloa Janke, Frances Moore, and Mildred Ostrander, also brothers-in-law Edward Cerny and Richard Cerny. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church or Lakeland Hospice.