Edwards, William 'Bernie'

William “Bernie” Edwards, 87, died Friday evening, Feb. 10, 2012, at Crestview Acres Care Center, Marion, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, were friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, with military honors.

Surviving are five children, William (Sandy) Edwards, Jean Luensman, Dana (Vicki) Edwards, Michael (Linda Varner) Edwards and John (JoAnn) Edwards, all of Monticello; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Esther in 2005; three brothers and a sister.

William Bernard “Bernie” Edwards was born Aug. 31, 1924, at LaMotte, Iowa, the son of Jerome Patterson and Anna Barbara (Eisentrager) Edwards. He attended grade school in the rural schools of Jones County. Bernie graduated from the Anamosa Community Schools. Bernie served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II as part of the Medical Corps.

William Bernard Edwards and Esther Smith were married Feb. 9, 1948.   Bernie worked at the Reliance Shirt Factory in Anamosa. In 1953, he moved his family to Monticello and began his employment at Edwards Department Store with Arch Edwards. He was employed by the Edwards family for 39 years before retiring.

Bernie was a member of the Monticello Golf Club over 40 years. He was also active with the Monticello Cubs baseball team for several years and was an avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Published Feb. 13, 2012 in The Gazette