Edward C. Looker

1920 - 2012

Edward C. Looker, age 91, Sturgeon Bay, WI, died January 30, 2012. He was born December 19, 1920, in Green Bay, WI the son of the late Lincoln and Helen (Birkholz) Looker.

He attended schools in Manitowoc, New London, Conn. and graduated from high school in Shawano, WI. He married Ellen J. Benishek July 2, 1944, at a candle light ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church in Manitowoc, WI. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and served in Europe as a co-pilot on a B-26 medium bomber completing 24 missions. He returned home to his wife in January 1946. Several months later they moved to Whitewater, WI where Ed attended college under the G.I. Bill and graduated in August 1949. He and Ellen were the parents of two little boys by this time.

Edward taught school for one year and then worked in the office of the Aluminum Goods Mfg. Co. in Manitowoc. Later he started working at the Maribel-Whitelaw Bank in Maribel and retired from the bank in 1985. Ed and Ellen were members of the Melnik Presbyterian Church for forty-one years.. Ed was a member of the Maribel Lions Club for over twenty five years, a life member of the VFW and served in several offices of the Manitowoc County Bankers Association. He had a life-long interest in flying and woodworking. Several years after retirement, he and his wife moved to Door County and he sang with the choir of the United Methodist Church in Sturgeon Bay and also sang with the Peninsula Chamber Singers. Ed and Ellen appreciated being able to travel to many places in the United States and even Europe for reunions of his 397th Bomb Group Association.

Survivors include his wife Ellen and their four sons, Tom (Denise), Little Rock, AR; Mark (Linda) Denmark, WI; Jon (Diane), Eldorado, WI; and Gregg, Denver, CO. Five grandchildren also survive, Scott (Stacey) Looker, Kevin Looker, Melissa (Travis) Dowland, Jenna (Jake) Schoemann, Quinn (Rebecca) Looker. Their four great- grandchildren are Charles and Catharyne Looker and Bella and Madison Dowland and a fifth great grandchild due in August. Other survivors include a sister and brother-in-law Charles and Dianne Benishek, nieces, Julie (Robert) Schultz, Ann (Roger) Gentz, Beth (Jim) Eberle, and nephew, Bob (Mary) Benishek. Ed was proceeded in death by his parents, step-mother Lucy Looker, sister and brother-in-law Elaine and Norman Kleman, mother and father-in-law, Edward and Ellen Benishek and a sister-in-law, Doris Benishek.

Memorial services will be held Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, 836 Michigan Street, with Rev. Kenneth Boettcher officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. to the time of services at 11:00 a.m. followed by military rites by VFW Post No. 3088, of which Ed was a member. A graveside service for the burial of the cremains will be held at about 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or another charity of choice.

Forbes Funeral Home assisted the family. On-line condolences may be offered at www.forbesfuneralhome.com

A most grateful appreciation is extended to the staff of Cardinal Ridge for their care and concern for Ed during his stay in their facility. The family also thanks Southern Care for their professional hospice services.