Edward Joseph Zuker

Edward Zuker was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather. He was hard working and humble, intelligent and bashful. His shyness made his humor all the more pronounced as he reeled off simple truths in a manner that hit home. Ed was born October 3, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, son of the late Joseph Edward and Frances Elizabeth (Bauer) Zuker. Joseph supported his family by farming. In addition, he also drilled water wells. Frances had her hands full with eleven children at home: Edward, Mary Jane, Eileen, Virginia, Betty, Theresa, Ina, Jim, Connie, Lee and Mike. He grew up in Beal City and came of age during the Great Depression. Like others his age, he would meet the challenge of a world war, which numbered him among those who have been called The Greatest Generation. Ed concluded his education at the end of the 10th grade at Beal City High School. His father had been injured on the farm, and being the oldest, Edward stepped up and did what needed to be done. By the time he enlisted for military duty, Ed had already assumed a great deal of responsibility in his young life. From 1946-1947, he served in the US Army at Camp Campbell, Kentucky and was honorably discharged with the appreciation of a grateful nation. Bright days were ahead when Ed met Doris Faye Spicer on a blind date they shared with Walter Reihl and Annie Haggert. It happened to be Doris birthday, which was special enough but made all the better when they decided to continue dating. The couple fell in love and made their vows of marriage at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Beal City on March 31, 1951. Ed and Doris were blessed with a large family that included Edward Jr., Robert, Ruth, John, Chris, Theresa, Kathy, Sue, Helen, Kelly, and Don and Angelica. They were heartbroken when their youngest was stillborn and their oldest died within a year of each other. Their faith and close family ties sustained them as Ed and Doris continued to care for their children. Ed had good humor when it came to parenting. He had to admit that kids were a lot of work, but he got a lot of work out of them, as well. They helped with household chores and gardening. He often remarked, I taught you everything I know, and you STILL dont know anything. But, in truth, Eds bark was worse than his bite. In his work life, Ed first helped his father in the well drilling business. Then in his late 30s, he became a journeyman plumber at Central Michigan University. He loved the job and enjoyed working with the student-workers. He came to learn everything about CMU Campus, including the underground tunnels that only a select few knew. Ed worked at CMU for 25 years before retiring in 1989. Retirement gave Ed more opportunity to pursue his favorite past timegardening. It was the perfect hobby for a man who was private by nature and usually kept to himself. He was happy working in the garden with his tractor and his Troy-Bilt rototiller. Not surprisingly, Ed was a John Wayne kind of guy, watching his movies and other westerns. Like Big John, Ed was down-home and easy-going. He loved listening and dancing to polkas on Saturday and Sunday mornings with his kids. Ed and Doris were active in a Euchre card club in the Beal City area. One year Ed treated himself and Doris with a trip to Germany near Frankfort to visit their daughter, Sue, in the Army. They visited many places and created a host of memories. Ed was happiest when surrounded by family, especially during the holidays. Doris and he always hosted the kids, spouses and grandkids in their home for Christmas until the family became too large and they had to rent a hall. Ed must have been thrilled to see children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grow and thrive all because he married Doris Spicer on, what was, one of the greatest days of his life. Ed was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish. A hard-working and humble man, Ed Zuker was proud of his children and even prouder to see them have their own children. He led by example, more than through his own words. His greatest legacy will be the values and ethics he instilled in his loving family. He will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew him. Edward Zuker, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and formerly of Beal City passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Tendercare of Mt. Pleasant. A Funeral Mass for Ed will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 3, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City with Father Ricky Varner presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. with the Vigil service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Monday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Cancer Services or Heartland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Ed is survived by his wife of over 62 years, Doris; 10 children, Robert (Marlene) Zuker of Mt. Pleasant, Ruth (Bradley) Walch of Canadian Lakes, John (Paula) Zuker and Chris (Doug) Garrett, both of Farwell, Theresa Zuker of Mt. Pleasant, Kathy Zuker of Beal City, Sue (Dan) Cook of Shepherd, Helen (Larry) Shanteau of Blanchard, Kelly (Scott) Miller of Mt. Pleasant and Don (Brigitte) Zuker of Beal City; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Mary Jane Robinson of Farmington Hills, Virginia Keller of Orange City, FL, Betty Mueller of Lansing, Theresa (Bruce) Phillips of Lowell, Ina Tiffany of Grand Rapids, Jim (Geri) Zuker and Lee (Pam) Zuker, both of Ithaca and Mike (Nancy) Zuker of Beal City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Edward Jr. in 1971; infant daughter, Angelica; and sisters, Eileen Quinlan and Connie McChesney. The family thanks the staff at Tendercare for its compassion and care shown to Ed and his family over the past two years. To learn more or to sign the online guest book please visit www.LuxFamilyFuneralHome.com. To watch a live webcast of his funeral on Monday, please go to webcasts.lifetributes.com/470447.