March 21, 1921 – August 25, 2011
The Kirstahler name arrived in the United States in 1873 when Ed’s Grandfather, George Joseph Kirstahler emigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of 20. He settled in Akron, Ohio and married Anna Hollfelder. Together George and Anna had thirteen children; one of them, Ed’s father Johannes (John). John married Alta Marple and they settled in Akron where Ed was born in 1921 followed by his younger sister Evelyn.
Ed was active through high school in all sorts of clubs and sports including baseball, boxing and football. "Eddie" was considered a local high school football “hero” where he caught the eye of Dorothy “Dottie” Lutey, a lovely girl also from Akron.
After graduating from Coventry High School he worked as a welder for The Akron Welding Co. Their motto was “You Break It…We Fix It".
In 1943 Ed and Dorothy were married and Ed and his father proceeded to build a home on family land from the ground up. They didn’t believe in credit, so things were completed as they could afford…one door and window at a time. In 1944 Ed joined the Navy and continued working as a welder through World War II.
Two daughters were born in Ohio; Karen and Susan "Susie". Since Ed and Dottie were both born in Akron, they were surrounded by a large family and spent time camping, boating and fishing on and around the “Portage Lakes” in Ohio.
The Navy then transferred Ed to Olathe Naval Air Station in Kansas where the family set up home in Overland Park. Daughter Lynn was born in 1960 and six months later Ed was transferred to NAS North Island in Coronado. They purchased their home on H Avenue and two years later, Edward, Jr. was born.
In 1966, after more than 20 years in the Navy, Ed retired as a Chief at the ripe old age of “40” something. The second phase of his career began when he started his home maintenance business in Coronado. He was known around town as “Mr. Ed, the fix it man”. Dorothy was active in real estate and together they managed and repaired many of the homes and apartments in Coronado.
Ed loved golfing and had many friends on and off the course, but truly enjoyed playing with his favorite foursome. Ed had many talents which included being able to fix almost anything. He made metal sculptures out of scrap metal and taught himself the lost art of “caning” chairs...from a book.
In the 1980s, when they were FINALLY empty nesters, Ed & Dorothy purchased their first motor home and fell in love with traveling. They joined a travel club and caravanned all over the United States making many friends along the way. They also joined the Elks club and enjoyed spending time there at various functions.
In 1996, after more than 50 years of marriage, Ed suffered the loss of his beloved Dorothy and then in 2002, the loss of his second daughter, Susan (Baker). It was difficult for Ed to adjust to life without Dorothy but he adapted.
Ed kept golfing, caning chairs, and traveling with his travel club where he was finally introduced to Marge Bray; the woman who brought the light back to his life and a smile back to his face. For more than 12 years, Ed and Marge have traveled all over the U.S. in the motor home, spending time with family and meeting friends at the Elks club almost every Saturday for hamburgers and fun.
People he just met could never believe he was “90”. He could walk faster than most 20 year olds. He lived a long and glorious life and will be missed by all who knew and love him.
Ed is survived by his sister, Evelyn Wilson, his daughters Karen (Nick) Gobble, Lynn (Louie) Garcia and son Edward Kirstahler, Jr. Four grandchildren: Mark Gobble, Amy Robertson, Ashley Fidler and Lauren Arnsdorff. Three great-grandchildren: Brian and Brandon Gobble, and Gavin Fidler.
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