Edward C. Kennedy

Edward C. Kennedy, age 93, of Pickerel, died on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Aspirus Langlade Hospital. He was born on May 25, 1932 in Antigo, a son of Adrian and Laurette (Friebel) Kennedy.

A 1949 graduate of Antigo High School, Edward continued his education receiving a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from St. Norbert College in De Pere.

He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 having been stationed in Germany.

Returning to Antigo he married Marilyn "Mickey" Mertens on April 27, 1957 at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo. She preceded him in death on September 4, 1984.

Edward received his Masters Degree in Engineering Management from Illinois Institute of Technology. Mr. Kennedy was an engineer in the industry of telecommunications and was proud of the innovations that Western Electric developed during his career.

He married Geneva (Kaiser) Banczak on January 2, 1988 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Elcho. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2021.

A life-long musician, Edward played the trombone in numerous bands including the Green Bay Packers Band, Dixieland Band, and Antigo Community Band. He shared his many gifts to the delight of his family and friends, from blowing his horn, touring the country to get stamps in his National Parks blue book, sampling buffets, and more recently cookie baking and card playing.

Survivors include six children, Kathryn (Bill) Moore of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Elizabeth (Jon) Reid of Waukesha, Edward P Kennedy of Antigo, David (Susan) Kennedy of Antigo, Colleen (Patrick) Taylor of Bryant, and Robert Kennedy of De Pere; a step-daughter, Amy (Alan) Quig of Pickerel; two step-sons, Robert Banczak of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, Mark (Melissa) Banczak of Clermont, Florida; 24 grandchildren, Wenonah (Brandon Braden) Moore, Adrian Moore, Angus (Jane) Moore, Beatrice Moore, Nathaniel Reid, Timothy Reid, Walter Reid, Amanda (Travis) Gauthier, Justin (Madeline) Kennedy, Sydney (Jonah) Smith, Z Taylor, Aberdeen Taylor, Rugen Taylor, Arlen Taylor, Aidan Toebe, Seamus Kennedy, Linus Kennedy; Brandon (Tiffany) Quig, Jessica (Andy Jensen) Quig, Nathan (Cassidy) Quig, Fabienne (John) Calkins, Serine Banczak, Codie (Zach Casavant) Banczak, Ashley Funck; 15 great-grandchildren and twins on the way; two sisters, Mary Mazanec of Midland, MI and Peggy Kiss of Stoughton; and two brothers, Mike (Kathy) Kennedy of Antigo and Larry (Joy) Kennedy of Pinedale, AZ.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn; his second wife Geneva; sisters, Laurel Streich and

Wilma Wilkie.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pickerel with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Military Honors will take place at the church following Mass.

Burial will take place on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Elmwood Cemetery in Antigo.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home with a parish wake service at 6 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Memorials may be directed to the family to establish a music scholarship in Ed's name or to a charity of your choice.

Bradley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.