Edwin Wilson

Edwin Wilson, also known affectionately as “Ed,” “Uncle Jack,” and “Big E,” has gone fishing. Ed died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Suffield Township in the early morning of Tuesday, May 27, 2025. He was ninety.

Ed was born in Akron, Ohio, to Walter Wilson and Grace Tennant Wilson. He was the youngest son of nine children. His parents and siblings – brothers, James R., Walter E. “Bud,” Earl N., Wayne, and sisters, Freda “Sis” Wykoff, Ginny Vartenuk, Betty Bridenthal, and Shirley Wilson – preceded him in death.

Ed graduated from Mogadore High School in 1954 where he was a member of the championship football team as well as playing on the basketball, baseball, and track teams. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army as the Korean War was nearing its end. He served stateside at Fort Knox; Ed was in the Army Reserves until 1963. He achieved the rank of Sergeant.

He met his wife-to-be, Glenda L. Brant, when they were in high school, but they did not start dating until years later. They married on October 12, 1962, and moved to Suffield where they made a home. Ed worked as a press drill operator for the Teledyne Monarch Rubber Company for 36 years.

While Ed was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he could still recall the story of classmates and teachers when looking at his Mogadore High School yearbook. He loved animals, especially pugs and his recent friendship with Skinny cat. Ed was happiest when fishing on the Mogadore Reservoir. He also enjoyed watching football (Go Cats!), basketball, and golf with his family. We are thankful for the following agencies for their support and care of Ed over the past five months: Visiting Angels of Tallmadge, Irma, and Nikita; Akron VA Clinic; and the medical staff at Springfield Primary Care. Our eternal gratitude to Bobby DiMauro for all his help and selfless support.

Ed is survived by his wife, daughters, Mary Grace (Bobby), Lois (Eric Banks), and son, Scott, and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. His family is comforted by the thought that he has simply gone fishing. We imagine him on the reservoir, with a great blue heron nearby, watching and waiting for Ed to toss a fish.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the following: Ohio State Parks Foundation; Portage County APL; or Suffield Township Fire Department.