Edward "Ed" Stehno Jr.

On May 30, 2015, Ed suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed while traveling in Germany with his wife, Nancy. On June 6, he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ed was born in Berwyn, Illinois on March 10, 1941. He married Nancy (Dankert) on August 26, 1967 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson. They had two children, Edward III and Christina.

He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. He worked for Consumers Energy in Alma, Grand Rapids, and Jackson until he retired in 2001. He also served as an officer in the Army National Guard for several years until his son was born.

He loved his wife, children and their families. He was involved in many of his children's activities as they grew up. In retirement he and Nancy spent as much time as possible traveling to see their children and grandchildren and even vacationing with them. Over the years, he and Nancy traveled to all 50 states and to several foreign countries, sometimes as a couple, but many of the trips included his children and grandchildren.

Ed had many interests, one of them being Boy Scouts. Even though he was in Scouts in his youth he continued to be active as an adult. He was involved in Troop 331 while living in Grand Rapids and Troop 312 here in Jackson. He enjoyed volunteering with the boys and actively stayed in contact with many into adulthood. Just a few weeks before his passing, he traveled with the Jackson troop to Canada for a camp-out.

He loved the outdoors and volunteered many hours at the Dahlem Conservancy. He was an avid camper, back-packer, hiker, jogger, and cyclist. The year prior to his retirement, he started hiking the Appalachian Trail. He would hike a portion each year until he finished the entire trail in 2005. He made numerous friends along the way.

He also spent many hours working at his church, Trinity Wesleyan. He was active in the Thursday morning men's Bible study, teaching at Kidz Kamp, and volunteering wherever needed.

He was an avid model railroader and "train nut". Many vacations included a train ride. Over the years, he had multiple model train layouts in his basement. He loved to show them to anyone willing to come see them and share his passion.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, son Ed III (Betsy) Stehno, daughter Christina (Eric) Wandersleben, brother Eugene (Kathy) Stehno, and grandchildren Hope and Eddie IV Stehno and Ava and Katie Wandersleben, and also mother-in-law, Waneta Dankert. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed Sr. and Evelyn Stehno, and infant granddaughters, Jane Stehno and Baby Wandersleben.

A celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Wesleyan Church on Saturday, July 4, 2015, at 11:00 with Pastor N. Keith Hinton, Pastor Vaughn Jensen and Pastor Andrew Walker officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and from 10-11 AM on Saturday, the 4th. All visitations will be at Trinity Wesleyan Church. Private Interment will be at Roseland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ed's name may be made to a charity of your choice.