Edwin Yeager

Edwin Richard Yeager, 91, passed away Friday, December 21, 2018, in his home

moments after his daughters, Alison B. Hinrichs and Leslie L. Giardiello, along with their husbands, Robert C. Hinrichs and

Joseph F. Giardiello, had said their goodbyes.

He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Margaret J. (Jarvis) Yeager. Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Frank J. and Carrie (Koch) Yeager.

Ed graduated from Reading High School in 1944 and from Penn State University in 1949 with a degree in

industrial engineering. He was also a corporal in the

United States Army.

"Big Ed" was well-known in the wholesale industrial supply PVF (pipes, valves & fittings) industry for over 70 years. First working in the industry at Reading Heater and Supply, Reading, Pa., and at the age of 40 (April of 1967)

decided to start his own company, Yeager Supply Inc., with his wife, Margaret. Yeager Supply went from one location, one small pickup truck (that was his first employee,

Robert "Bobby" Hartman) and seven employees, to three locations, 18 trucks on the road daily, and over 100

employees! Honesty, integrity and great service was, and still is, how the company operates to this day.

Ed was still working and involved daily, as the founder until his death.

Humble, yet larger than life, it seemed like when he walked in a room with his fedora hat (and would stomp on it to show how well made it was) and his brown tinted aviators (something he always took care of like they were gold, and proud to say they were 40 years old) a presence was felt by all in the room. He was a simple man, and therefore his clothes were all brown or tan "because, then everything matches!" (Please wear something brown in his honor.) It seemed like everyone would want to talk to him, and he

always was knowledgeable on any topic you would come up with!

He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and that was his life besides Yeager Supply. No golf, no "cards with the boys," or watching a game on TV. Work and family were his whole life.

"Big Ed" was silly with his grandchildren, and the Kodak moments he created with "chickens on his head,"

Babushkas tied around his chin, and dancing down any stairs or hallway he encountered like Fred Astaire will be cherished forever by his grandchildren and family. He was extremely excited that he would be a great-grandfather again in early 2019. We know he will be looking down and creating another "Kodak moment" for his soon-to-be great-grandson!

On the previous day before he passed, he was fortunate that he had some of his family reading all the wonderful holiday thank you cards from all of his employees and what he referred to as "his 2nd family." This brought him

comfort knowing how much he was loved not just by his family by blood, but over 100 employees who have come to know and love him, as well.

Dad lived his life as a gentleman and a man of his word. We know he is looking down at all of us and saying

"Everything is copacetic."

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his

brother, William ("Wild Bill") Yeager; and sister, Virginia (Yeager) Camarotta.

He is survived by his daughters: Alison B. Hinrichs, wife of Robert C., Leslie L. Giardiello, wife of Joseph F.; his grandson, Bradley Edwin Giardiello, husband of Karen Marcus Giardiello; granddaughter, Lauren Margaret Bieniosek, wife of Theodore A.; James Robert Hinrichs, Cynthia Lynne Moran, wife of Joseph; and two great-grandchildren, Belinda and Joseph. Also, his devoted "lady friend" for the past 5 years, Annabelle Stegman.

A Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held at Bean Funeral Home, 129 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, on

Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Celebrant Amy S. Landis officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives at Bean Funeral Home on Friday, December 28, 2018, from 6-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 29, 2018, from 8:30-10:00 a.m. A private entombment will follow the service at Gethsemane Cemetery and Mausoleum.

Ed was a charitable man, and did so mostly anonymously to: Vision Resource Center of Berks County, 2020 Hampden Blvd., Reading, PA 19604; Olivet Boys and Girls Club of Reading, 1161 Pershing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611; Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Plumbing Dept.), 750 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the above in memory of

Edwin R. Yeager.

Online condolences may be made at

www.beanfuneralhomes.com.