Edward C. Baize

Edward C. Baize, 84, of Towanda, passed peacefully into the hands of his savior on February 19, 2018 at Leroy Manor Nursing home with his family beside him, where he had been a patient for four days.

Edward was born May 20, 1933, the son of Wilbert and Belvia Sorrels Baize in McHenry, KY. He married Marjorie I. Harsha on September 28, 1951 where the spent 66 years of happiness together. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Edward Jr. (Roxa) of Towanda; Loretta (Gerald) Reeder of Versailles, KY; Janice (Joe) Leuchtenberg of Towanda; five grandchildren, Eddie C III; Nicole Reeder; Michele Brown; Sandra Yordy; and Steve Sheppelman; five great-grandchildren, Kylie Taylor Brown, Sandra Lenore Yordy, Michael Edward Baize, Haley Nicole Waldschmidt, and McKenna Sheppelman; a brother, Harold Victor (Eleanor) of Gibson City; three sisters, Martha F. (James) Curtis of Bloomington; Margie Pruitt of Hartford, KY; and Carolyn Phipps of Beaver Dam, KY.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Noble of Sacramento, CA; Charles R. of Mt. Carmel; Harold Victor (Eleanor) of Gibson city; and Onis D (Mary) of Bloomington.

Eddie was a 50 plus year member of the El Paso AF & AM Lodge. He was also member of the College Avenue Baptist Church in Normal. He operated Eddie’s Truck Stop in Towanda for thirteen years after having worked there since 1952 helping to get it ready to open for business. Due to Interstate 55 bypassing Towanda, the Truck Stop closed in 1976. Then he became a Teamster. He made many friends while in business. Eddie did not know a stranger. He was a friend to everyone. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone.

Eddie served as Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Towanda for 23 years.

There was a private family graveside prayer held February 22 2018, at Eddie’s request, with one of the former pastors at First Baptist Church in Towanda, Pastor Cal Gowen. He will be deeply missed by all, family and friends and we know he is happy serving the Lord. Pallbearers were: Edward Baize, Jr.; Gerald Reeder; Joe Leuchtenberg; Edward Baize III; Mike Waldschmidt; and Michael Edward Baize.