Edward WEILER

1936 - 2021

(Age 85)

On May 2, a man who was loved by everyone who knew him passed at the home he built 64 years ago.

Born February 19, 1936 to Frank and Frances Weiler in Richardton, ND, Ed was known for his quiet chuckle, gentle nature and giving spirit. He met the love of his life, Lynn, in Dalhart, TX where they married on May 31, 1957. Shortly after, they moved to Spokane and settled in Hillyard where they raised their five children.

True to his loyal nature, Ed worked as shop foreman for Calkins Manufacturing from 1958 until retirement in 1998. From his work to his hobbies, Ed was a gifted builder and loved spending time in his shop creating. He used his talents to better his community, creating the Pine Wood Derby track for Arlington Elementary, boxing rings for Gonzaga University and FOE Eagles in Spokane and Sandpoint, an aluminum pull-tab fundraising trailer for the Ronald McDonald House, and more. Along with Lynn, he was an active volunteer supporting many organizations including Kiwanis and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council where he achieved the title of Master Conservationist by serving 100 hours for five consecutive years. With the Council, Ed built custom targets for the rifle range at the Big Horn Show, which he also volunteered at; created bat houses, handicap platforms for fishing, and planted hundreds of trees along with many other projects.

As an active outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, camping and a good fire, it was important to create a special recreational escape for his family. In the 1970s, he purchased heavily forested land in the Springdale area and turned it into destination for generations of memories, with trails, camping areas, a shelter, extra-large swingset, and perhaps his most notorious invention, the 6-way spinning teetertotter that is still enjoyed today by his great-grandchildren. He loved sitting around the campfire in his special chair, talking politics with a twinkle in his eye, while open-flame cooking was done on metal grills of his creating.

While Ed is irreplaceable, his legacy lives on in his family including his children Frank (Lori), Mike (Dana), Randy (Jill), Jerry (Sirapatsorn), and Janice Conner (Jen Whitworth), 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; siblings Ervin (Faye), Doris Olson (John) and sister-in-law Debbie. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lynn and brother Julius.

A celebration of life will be held July 10 at 11am at the Northwest Wildlife Council, 6116 N. Market St. Donations may be made in Ed's memory to the West Valley Kiwanis Scholarship Fund that he and Lynn worked many years to establish. Mail donations to PO BOX 11281, Spokane, WA 99211.