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Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer North Chapel

17033 Cleveland Rd

South Bend, Indiana

Edwin Ehlers Obituary

Mar. 10, 1923 - June 17, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Edwin S. Ehlers, Purdue All-American, passed away on Monday morning, June 17th. Ed was born on March 10, 1923 in Joliet, IL, the son of Alfred and Verta Ehlers. On September 12, 1947 he married his college sweetheart, Joyce Slick, who preceded him in death in 2011. Surviving are his four children, Sally Dreisbach, Tom (Gwen) Ehlers, Polly Salak, and Patty Frazier. He was a great influence and teacher to his seventeen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Ed attended South Bend Central High School where he played basketball and baseball for the legendary John Wooden. Ed always said that Wooden was the "coach of all coaches" who taught life's values on the court and was the biggest influence in his life. They remained loyal friends for life. Ed went on to Purdue University where he played football, basketball and baseball, and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. World War II and the call to duty interrupted his college career and he enlisted in the Army. After the war Ed returned to Purdue and in 1947 was the 1st round draft pick for the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bears and a bonus baby with the New York Yankees. He returned to South Bend, the city he loved, and began his business career as General Agent for Lincoln National Life. He served as president of the Michiana YMCA, was a St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and was involved in developing Elbel Golf Course. He also served on numerous boards and community organizations and enjoyed fishing, golf, travel and piloting his plane. At 70 he biked across Iowa in the RAGBRAI and did it again four more times! He loved the sun and sand, celebrating his 90th birthday this year in Florida, surrounded by family and friends. But no role was more important or rewarding than that of Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He would look around at family gatherings and say, "How'd this happen?" He always had a gracious dinner blessing prepared and could tell a great story, sing and dance. He will truly be missed by those who knew him and the lives he touched, influenced and inspired. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 23rd in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd., from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A memorial service celebrating Ed's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24th in First Presbyterian Church, 333 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Michiana YMCA, 1201 Northside Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Jun. 21 to Jun. 22, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Ehlers

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KNEW ED AND JOYCE IN SOUTH BEND AND BOCA GRANDE FLA, WE HAD BASKEBALL SEASON TICKETS AT JOHN ADAMS BASKETBALL GAMES WITH SEATS NEXT TO THEM. RECONECTED IN FLA. GREAT FRIEND AND FAMILY. A TRUE GENTLEMAN. MANY MEMORIES.

DOUGLAS BURNS

June 15, 2022

July 12, 2013
Tom & Gwen a note from Ron & Mary Littlebrant, as we were trying to look you up we came across this and we wanted to offer our condolences, your Father was a Fine Man Tom and I know how much you cared for him. He is truly one of those who will not be replaced as they are just not making that mold any more.

Much Love your way and please try to contact us when you can.

Ron
& Mary Littlebrant
803-521-4195

July 12, 2013

Our condolences to the family. He was a fine man. Our families were friends for many years. Blessings to all. Sharon and E. G. White

June 23, 2013

Our condolences to the family. Ed is a loss to many. At 90 years of age he still influenced friend's lives and well-being. He was a remarkable man. Carole Csank

Carole and Paul Csank

June 23, 2013

Condolences to the entire Ehlers family. His legacy in South Bend and at Purdue will long be remembered. He was a true icon in the South Bend community. Rest in peace.

Greg Humnicky

June 22, 2013

Condolences to the Ehler family. This world was a better place to live because of Ed Ehlers. Coach wooden told me the best athlete he ever coached was Ed Ehlers.
RIP
Bob & Patti Otolski

Bob Otolski

June 22, 2013

Ehler's Family,
Mary and I knew Joyce and Ed over 50 years, as friends, neighbors and as a client. They loved each other and their children as shown by how they lived their lives. In all of our lives the time comes when we must surrender our loved ones to eternity and look forward to being with them onve more.
May God bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you.
Love is eternal,
Mary and Bob Bauer

Robert Bauer

June 22, 2013

My husband Bill and I were neighbors on Wayne street, with Ed and Joyce. He and Joyce were ones that the new "kids" on the block could only dream to have.
That very first week, Joyce came to our door with a homemade poppyseed cake. Ed's stories , sense of humor, and Joyce with her exceptional gifts and warmness, were unmatched. They will forever be in our memories. I miss them. You, the family, and children are blessed to have all those wonderful memories! Kathleen and Bill Hojnacki

Kathleen Hojnacki

June 22, 2013

Dearest Sally,
May your heart be filled with love and all the special smiles shared with your Dad. My sincerest love and prayers are with you and your family.

Maria Tuohy

June 22, 2013

Sally,Tom. Polly, and Patty

My thoughts are with you all. You will never know what a powerful influence your Dad was on me and the other guys from Jefferson. I have often bragged to my Indianapolis friends that your pop was the greatest athlete to ever come out of South Bend, and maybe one of the best anywhere. God Bless you all and may the many great memories help you through this difficult time.

Warmest regards,
Gary Gibboney

Gary Gibboney

June 22, 2013

Because of your warm and encouraging heart you became a sort of ideal in many of the lives you touched. You brought Matt 22:36-40 to life and for that you will be greatly missed.

Jim Lamb

June 22, 2013

All my blessings go out for Tom and the ehlers family

Mike Harvey

June 22, 2013

My favorite Ed Ehlers story involved an informal golf match he had at South Bend Country Club with Father James Riehle, Moose Krause and Ara Parseghian.

Moose, the gentle giant, had a separate book of golf rules, as everyone at SBCC knew, and so everyone was a little leery whenever Moose wandered off to play his ball.

On this particular day, Ed and Father Riehle were paired against Moose and Ara, and on the 18th hole, Moose had hit his approach to the 18th hole in front of the third tee, which was hidden from the 18th green by a grove of tall trees.

Ed, being a trusty soul, convinced Father Riehle it was OK to drive their cart up the hill to the green because Moose was playing with Ara, known for his outstanding skill as a golfer and even more for his outstanding and endearing integrity.

Ed was absolutely convinced the Ara would not allow Moose to improve his lie by either moving it away from a tree (Krause-Fergus Rule 6B: If a ball is behind a tree, it can be moved without penalty because it is deemed the tree shouldn't have been there in the first place) or using his foot wedge.

So there was Father and Ed on the green when all of a sudden the ball appeared over the trees and landed on the green, rolling into birdie range. Moments later, the cart carrying Ara and Moose appeared. Upon seeing his ball within birdie range on the green, Moose immediately began celebrating his remarkable shot that won the match.

The foursome repaired to the SBCC men's grille afterward and after a few adult beverages everything was forgotten ... Until the next day when Ara's conscious got the best of him. He revealed to Ed and Father Riehle that he had suggested to Moose that he (Ara) play the shot and that Moose "sell" the shot as if he had just hit it.

No one enjoyed the joke more than Ed Ehlers, who enjoyed life with his family and friends. Which, I think, says a lot about the three-sport star at Central High School (he played basketball for "The Conjuror on Colfax" -- John Wooden -- before he became "The Wizard of Westwood" at UCLA) and Purdue who was a drafted in the first round by the Boston Celtics (NBA) and Chicago Bears (NFL) and signed to play baseball with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs after serving in the Armed Forces during World War II.

But eventually, Ed returned to his hometown, where he fashioned a distinguished career in the insurance industry and also became very involved in YMCA, recreation and charitable circles in South Bend.

He and his loving family always were there for their friends and those who needed a helping hand. Ed was a avid cyclist and often would pedal his way from Boca Grande to Arcadia, Fla., a distance easily of 50 miles, to tutor the children of migrant workers. Tells you a lot, doesn't it?

Ed and his wife Joyce, who proceeded him to God's paradise, lovingly raised and influenced four children, their children and their children's children to do what Jesus asked -- to love and help others.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the pleasure to know him.

Our loss is Heaven's gain, especially for someone who knows the Moose Krause/Paul Fergus rulebook to a tee.

John Fineran

June 22, 2013

My deepest sympathies to the Ehlers family. I'll always remember Ed as the ultimate competitor on the handball court. He truly lived a full life and I am sorry for your loss.

Greg Tezich

June 21, 2013

What a lovely man. we enjoyed Ed and Joyce in south bend and in Boca Grande Florida. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the family.

Doug Burns

June 21, 2013

My sympathies to the Ehlers family for their loss. Ed was a remarkable man with a great love for family, friends, and Boca Grande. He will be forever remembered.

Gary Yeiter

June 21, 2013

Just want to let the Ehlers family know that you are in my thoughts and how lucky you were to have such a wonderful Father and Grandfather. He will be greatly missed!

Pennie Eckman

June 21, 2013

God Bless Ed and his family! He was very important in my life! He was a mans man and will truly be missed!

Donn Kryder

June 21, 2013

Offering the sincere condolences of all the members and staff of the Michiana Family YMCA to the entire Ehlers family. Ed will be remembered as a dedicated leader and friend of the Y.

Nancy Sinnott

June 21, 2013

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Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer North Chapel

17033 Cleveland Rd, South Bend, IN 46635

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