PALATINE - Celebration Services for Edwin J. Basler, 70, will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Christian Life Church, 400 E. Gregory St., Mount Prospect, IL. The interment will be held privately. Ed Basler, CEO, husband, father, author, visionary, White Sox fan, lion tamer, Glenbrook North and Luther North Class of 69', and philanthropist, went to be with Jesus on July 13th, 2022, at 70 years young. Born on Leader Avenue in Edgebrook Chicago, IL. Ed came into this world on a crisp autumn day full of drive and purpose. He worked at the family business, E. J. Basler Co., a precision machine shop in Schiller Park. Alongside his brothers Dennis and Brian; eventually becoming CEO. Ed was a visionary and a serial entrepreneur starting "Dirt Cheap Rent a Heap,', "Ugly Duckling" both car rental companies, and running a "Grease Monkey" oil-change shop. While attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Ed fell in love with Jesus Christ marking the beginning of his fruitful walk of faith. A few years later he married the love of his life, Cathi. Together they were an unstoppable union; opening their home to weary souls, starting Faith New Testament Church, bringing in a family of Vietnamese refugees, supporting missionaries, and riding his Harley with the brothers of thunder. They had three kids and adopted a teenager. Cathi and Ed founded Souled Out Ministries and traveled the world sharing the love of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. He was lovingly known as Mr. Ed for a generation in the U.S., to the Bahamas, Central and South America, Europe, Israel, Africa, and Australia. This beach loving man grabbed life with both hands and was quick to play "Great Balls of Fire" on keys, blast vinyls in his office, offer you a ginger snap, or unexpectedly pick up your tab. He was known for his infectious smile, generous heart, humble attitude, and dad jokes. He loved God, family, friends, baseball, classic diners, cargo shorts, the smell of fresh cut grass, the rolling fields of Iowa, and Cathi's green eyes. He was a tremendous man who was a father to the fatherless and who chose to love others with all of his being. Mr. Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathi; son, Julian (Christine) Basler; daughters, Charlene (Dale Spencer) Basler, Joanne (Justin) Neumaier, Hayley (Elias) Serruya; grandchildren, Joseph (11), Julia (9), Jasper (6), and Juniper (2) Neumaier; Elijah (5) and Evelyn (3) Basler; Shai (7), Aviv (4), and Lyla (6 months) Serruya. In an effort to preserve his legacy, donations to Souled Out Ministries would be encouraged in lieu of flowers to continue to invest in the next generation. Souled Out Ministries, E J Basler Co., 9511 W. Ainslie St., Schiller Park, IL 60176 or paypal [email protected]. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27 Arrangements by Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Palatine. For info, 847-358-7411 or www.ahlgrimffs.com.

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Published by Daily Herald on Jul. 21, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for EDWIN BASLER

Sponsored by Daily Herald.

11 Entries

Janice Vaughn

July 15, 2025

Gone too soon. Thank you Mr. Ed for Souled Out and all the teenagers that were impacted and are followers of Jesus because of you and Mrs. B, God Bless you both
Janice Vaughn

Pete

December 30, 2022

Ed was the soul of FNT and Joe the mind and Ron the heart.

pauline williams

September 1, 2022

beloved cathi and fam..hugging u all tightly and honoring u for yr place in our childrens lives

Andria Land (Dickholtz) Witherell

July 24, 2022

I am heartbroken that my dear friend has passed on. The world was a brighter place with his great smile, laugh, and humor. His wings might have been ready, but our hearts were not. "The Lord bless and keep you," my old friend.
Andy

Janice A. Vaughn

July 24, 2022

So very sadden to hear about the passing of Mr. Ed. Mr. Ed and Mrs. B. My daughter Katie and I met the Basler family through Souled Out (I still have my Souled Out Keychain). They have been a huge part of my daughter Katie's life, which I am so thankful and grateful for. They were involved in the Masters Commision that Katie attended, they were involved with her wedding. The Basler's have been a family to my daughter. I was a single parent, and she spent a lot of time at Souled Out with the Basler girls. I am thankful that one day we will be reunited with our Savior and and so very very thankful for the many years they have been in my daughter's life. Mr. Ed will be missed for SOOOO many reasons, but what an example he has been to soooooo many. Love and prayers to Mrs. B and the Basler Kids. Katie Vaughn's mom.

Gary E Daniels

July 22, 2022

Ed will be missed greatly. I enjoyed re-connecting with him planning our high school reunions. We will be out of town for his memorial service, but know our condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends. May Ed rest in eternal peace and love with the Lord.

Barb and Jim Reasland

July 22, 2022

Our sadness of the loss here on earth is overwhelming, but knowing where Ed is,,thy good and faithful servant is echoed thru heaven... he was a true man of God who touched, helped and truly cared- meeting 45ish years ago. His smile and laugh to the look when he was listening to you, his heart of gold, oh so much to say about this wonderful friend, who will be missed until our day to all be together. God bless the Basler family. Xo

Jim Vitek

July 21, 2022

So sorry to hear that my great friend from grade school and high school has passed away . I will always remember the adventures we had as two buddies growing up and roaming Chicago. My deepest sympathy and compassion goes out to his wife , children , and all that knew Ed .

John Ungaro

July 21, 2022

Thank you, love you, bless you................ I can only imagine.........

Joe Ariola

July 21, 2022

Ed and the entire Basler family were great to my family and I while I worked at EJ Basler from 1995-2004 . When my Dad passed away in 1999, Ed came to the services and sent my family and I to downtown chicago for a getaway trip. This became a yearly xmas tradition for my family and I for over 10 years. He had such an impact on not only my life but my families life as well. Such great respect I have for the man. Truly a friend and mentor. His memory will live in all of us. My deepest condolences to all the Basler family and friends

Glenn Christensen

July 20, 2022

Ed was my friend since kindergarten. We could go without talking to each other for a year or two and then pick up again like we had seen each other the week before.
Lifelong friends.
I can´t believe my larger than life friend with the zest for life, great laugh and sense of humor is now gone from this earth, although on to a better place .
My condolences to Cathi, Dennis, Brian and Adrienne, the rest of his family and friends, and to myself, because I´m really going to miss him.

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