James Edward Lodden

1931 - 2025

James Edward (Ed) Lodden
10/18/1931 - 06/28/2025
James Edward (Ed) Lodden, age 93, of Morley passed away peacefully June 28, 2025, at his residence with his family by his side.
He was born October 18, 1931, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Bernard and Isabelle (Bradish) Lodden. Ed went to a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade and graduated from Rockford High School in 1949. He was in the A Cappella Choir and received a superior rating and played on the 1948 undefeated Rockford baseball team. Ed married Blanche Sorell, November 10, 1951. He was drafted in the Marines March 10, 1952; and was discharged on March 10, 1954 during the Korean Conflict. When he returned home, he started working as a carpenter and enrolled at the Ferris Institute in 1956. Ed received his degree and began teaching at Morley Stanwood High School as a math and science teacher in 1959. During his 27years of teaching he coached football, basketball and baseball. He won 7 league championship, several district titles, and one regional baseball title. Ed coached the only undefeated 8-0 JV football team in 1972. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association in 1988 and into the Mecosta County Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. He had a love of draft horses, having them on the farm for 70 years. In his retirement he enjoyed farming with his teams of horses, playing with the Michigan Fiddlers and the Gospel Messengers Quartet.
Surviving are his children, Jim and Mary of Texas, Wayne and LuAnn of Morley, Tom and Lorna Dickinson of Morley; six grandchildren Julie Ann (Keith), Stacy Renee, Jesse (Sonya), Kortnie, Kyle, Elizabeth (Zachary); nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Alida Hansen of California, Shirley Conrad, Sonya Sorell both of Big Rapids and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 1/2 years Blanche; parents and brothers; Joeseph, George and John.
Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11 a.m., at the Heritage United Methodist Church, 19931 Kendaville Road, Pierson, Michigan, 49339, with Pastor Scott Bouldery officiating with burial in the Aetna Cemetery in Morley.
The family will receive friends and family on Monday July 7, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Howard City Funeral and Cremation Services, 225 E. Edgerton Street, Howard City, Michigan 49329, and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the Church.