"We share our sympathy with all your family. We have deep admiration for all of Paul and Edie's family. May God's Peace be with you."
In loving memory of
Paul Edwards
September 1, 2018
Paul Edwards Jr., age 89, of Payson, died Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 6:00 pm in Blessing Hospital.
Paul was born May 2, 1929 in Quincy, IL, the son of Paul R., Sr. and Selma Strate Edwards. He married Edith Wellman on June 11, 1952 in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on July 10, 2015.
Paul was a graduate of Quincy High School. After graduation, he served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. After he was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Corporal, he returned home and joined his father in the dairy business. Paul and Edith purchased the family farm in 1970 and went on to become well-respected dairy farmers.
Paul and Edith received several awards for their hard work on the farm including the Conservation Farm Family - Governor's Award in 1985, and the Goodyear National Conservation Award for outstanding accomplishments in natural resource conservation. They also received the Western Illinois Dairy Promotion Heritage Award. Both Paul and Edith received the Honorary FFA Chapter Degrees in 1998 from the Payson FFA for their strong support of the FFA program. In 2013 Paul and Edith were the Payson Old Settlers Parade Marshalls. For thirty years, they invited third grade classes from Payson Seymour Elementary to their dairy farm. They conducted tours of the dairy farm and provided dairy treats to more than 1500 students. After "retirement" Paul continued to farm until December of 2017. After his recent move to Adams Pointe, Paul kept his thumb green by tending to the roses and flower gardens on the property. Paul's family is extremely grateful to the entire staff of Adams Pointe Assisted Living for the care and the companionship that they provided.
In his youth Paul had been a member of Ellington Presbyterian Church. After he and Edith married, he joined St. Anthony of Padua Church. Paul was also a member of Payson VFW Post 2061, Adams County Farm Bureau, and Mississippi Valley Holstein Club.
Survivors include: six children: Paul "Rick" (Mary) Edwards, III of Quincy, IL; Gregory (Jeanette) Edwards of Payson, IL; Rose (Robert) Bunte of Payson; Amy (Dave) Zanger of Mendon; Andrew (Tammy) Edwards of Palmyra, MO; and David Edwards of Quincy, IL; 13 grandchildren: Nicole (Mark) Bateman of Decatur, IL; Lindsey (Dan) Meyer of Bloomington, IL, Olivia (Korey) Powell, Marissa Edwards, all of Quincy, IL; Garrett Edwards of Payson, IL; Rachel (AJ) Fritsche of Fishers, IN; Ross (Danielle) Bunte of Liberty, IL; Renita (Matthew) Welding of Davenport, IA; Benjamin Zanger of Mendon, IL; Nicholas (Brandy) Zanger of Loraine, IL; Grace Zanger of Mendon, IL; and Elijah and Jeremiah Edwards of Palmyra, MO; eleven great grandchildren: Michael Bateman; Aiden and Lyla Powell; Brady Neisen; Brooklyn and Alexa Fritsche; Crue Bunte; Ashlyn and Braylyn Eddy Zanger and Georgia and Vivian Zanger; a sister, Carol (Henry) Morrison of Barry, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Paul was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William (Charlene) Edwards; a sister, Doris (Kenneth) Blivens; and an infant granddaughter, Carina Edwards.
Services: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, with Father Tom Donovan and Father Irenaeus Kimminau, OFM officiating.
Burial: St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery
Visitation: 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2018 and 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at St. Anthony of Padua Church
Memorials: Payson VFW Post 2061, St. Anthony of Padua Men's Society, Plainville United Methodist Church, or Adams County Farm Bureau Foundation.
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
"To the family of Paul Edwards I like to send my condolences to the lose of your loved one. Please find comfort in the promise god has made at Revelation 21:4 ?And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.?"
"Mary, Rick and Family - I am sorry for your loss - I wish you peace"
"I am so very blessed that my brothers and I were able to spend time with Junior at our parents memorial last year. He was such a precious soul! He and my Dad were so close. I enjoyed hearing all the stories again. My sincere condolences in your loss."
"God bless you with fond memories .Prayers & hugs to each of you."
"Our sympathies to the Edwards family."
"We are so sorry for your loss, Paul and Edie were such sweet and wonderful people and loved their family with all their hearts!"
"Very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with your family."
"So sorry for your loss. May God bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead."
"So sorry for your loss. My father-in-law often spoke of fond memories of Paul and his family. Paul was such a nice man. Dennis and I pray for comfort and peace for your family during your time of loss and sorrow."
"So sorry to hear. Our prayers are with you all."
"Thinking of you all. What a nice man."