Ed spent his formative years around homes in Knox and Coshocton Counties in Ohio. Starting elementary school at Glenmont, Ohio and moving to Howard, Ohio in the 4th grade. Howard was a small school having all 12 grades in one building. Ed graduated from Howard High School in 1952.
The Korean conflict going on and the draft still in force, Ed chose to join the Navy in July 17, 1952. Four years later he was released to the Navy Reserves and was subject to be called back for one year. Ed served two years seven months, 29 days in the Foreign and/or Sea Service on the USS Renville APA 277 and LCU 1497. While in the Navy Ed's mother and father moved to Yuma, Arizona. In December 1957, Ed joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union 469 in Phoenix, Arizona. Two years later his work took Ed to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Tuba City, Arizona. While there, Ed met Alma Edwards. They were married October 1, 1960 and through that union Ed gained a son, Kenneth Ray Dearing.
After working eleven years in various cities of Arizona and work being very slow, they decided to move to Smiths Grove, Kentucky. Three years later, as a Journeyman plumber work brought them back to Mt. Vernon, IN. In 1977 Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 136 took Ed in as a Regular member. From then on Mt. Vernon area was their home.
Ed was raised to a Master Mason on April 28, 1980. He became a Scottish Rite Mason and then a Hadi Shriner on May 9, 1981. Ed got involved in Shrine activities and served as Posy County Shrine plus President in 1985 and 2003. Ed served as Commander of Hadi Legion of Honor in 1991. It being a Veterans Group of the Shrine, he served as Hadi Temple Parade Marshal in 2001. Elected President of Hadi Car Club in 2004 and went through the Hadi Hospital Staff line where he was elected Hospital Staff Captain in 2006. All the while being somewhat involved in the work of the Masonic Lodge.
On May 20, 2006, he married Shirley Wallace and through this union Ed gained four children and eight grandchildren.
Ed received his 25 year Masonic pin from Beulah Lodge on November 19, 2005 and his Hadi Shrine 25 year pin on November, 2006. He retired May, 1999 and still enjoyed doing small plumbing jobs for family and friends. He also enjoyed working around the house and yard, and watching football and basketball when he had time. Ed was a life member of VFW 1114 in Evansville, a member of American Legion and Odd Fellows Lodge in Mt. Vernon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Alma; second wife, Shirley; brother, Malcolm; sister, Shirley; and son, Kenneth.
Ed is survived by his stepson, John Sims; step daughters, Jamie L. Redman, Cheryl Sims, Sherry Sims; grandchildren, Bradleigh Carlson, Eddyson (Taylor) Bunner, Brayton Whyatt, Carlton Redman, Gage Sims, Courtney Breeze, Ainsleigh Lynn, K.J. Greene; nieces, Marilyn Mahoney, Carolyn Bettac, Kathryn Linder, Betsy Harris, Wanda Kennedy, Janette Collins; and nephew, Daniel Price.
A Graveside Service will be held at a later date in Hays Cemetery, Kentucky where he will be buried next to his wife Alma and son Kenneth.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hadi Shriners at https://www.hadishrine.org/donations
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5