Edward L. Sears

SEARS, Edward L., 77, of Battle Creek, MI died Thurs., April 1, 2004 in Battle Creek. He was born Mar. 5, 1927 in Whitley County, KY the son of Finley E. and Rebecca J. (Smith) Sears. He graduated from Poplar Creek High School in 1944. He attended Sue Bennett College in London, KY and graduated with a B.S. degree from Union College in Barbourville, KY in 1949. In 1958 Ed graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN with a M.S. degree in Education. Ed served in the U. S. Army from June 26, 1945 until Nov. 14, 1946, where he received Combat Engineer Training, and was an X-ray Technician. On Oct. 15, 1949, Ed married Anna M. Shepperd in Louisville, KY. He was a lifelong educator. He was a teacher and principal in Anderson County, TN from 1949-51, and a teacher in Ringgold, GA from 1951-59. In 1959 Ed moved to Battle Creek where he was an Education Specialist at the Civil Defense Staff College until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the DAV, AARP, NARFE and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, MI. Quality family time was his priority. Ed also enjoyed reading, boating, camping, gardening and playing with his grandchildren. For the past 35 years, he led his family to Lake Michigan United Methodist Family Camp, setting an example of actively living his Christian faith. Ed is survived by Anna, his wife of 54 years; a son Alan (Paula) Sears of Scottsdale, AZ; and daughters Shirley (Jack) Burtnett of the Caribbean, Janet (Larry) Bitzko of Phoenix, AZ and Susan (Arlyn) Moulder of Fayetteville, GA. Also surviving are grandchildren Kelley, Shelby, Anna Marie, Rebecca, Isaiah and Isabella Sears, Matthew, Andrew, Nathan and Benjamin Bitzko, and Brent Moulder, and a sister Aleene (Steve) Woodyard of Lexington, KY. Friends may call after 2 pm Sun. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, 105 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI (1-800-962-5527) where they will receive friends from 2 - 4 pm today and 5 - 8 pm Mon. Funeral services will be held 11 am Tues. at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 157 Chapel Hill Drive, Battle Creek, MI Interment with military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alliance Defense Fund, 15333 N. Pima Rd., Suite 165, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, or Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 157 Chapel Hill Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49015. To leave a personal message for the family, please see:www.farleyestesdowdle.com