Edmund "Ed" W. Townsend

Ed proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a faithful member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Belleville. He was actively involved in his community and was a member of the Fairview Heights Elks Lodge #664, the Illinois JCI Senate, Trenton’s Sportsman Club, and a charter member of the Fairview Heights Homecoming Association. Ed played every sport in high school and was an avid fan of all sports throughout his years. He also enjoyed playing church league softball and loved bowling. He loved the outdoors; especially fishing and manicuring his yard. He was known for his barbequing and never missed an opportunity to cook for family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, who will truly be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Dennis and Esther, nee Prott, Townsend; a niece, Leanne Cerame, née Townsend; a nephew, Timothy Townsend, in infancy; and a brother-in-law, Charles “Bud” Gerling.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Norma Townsend, nee Gerling, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, his children, Lisa (Scott) Vallandingham, of Belleville, Illinois, Steven (Crystal) Townsend, of Titusville, Florida and Linda (Jeff) Barnish, of Maryville, Illinois; his grandchildren, Hannah, Paige, Winston, Mason, Jacob, Tanner, and Jack; his brothers, Gerald (Pat) Townsend, of Trenton, Illinois, Robert Townsend, of Livingston, Illinois, Donald Townsend, of Wood River, Illinois, and Ronald (Barb) Townsend, of Maryland Heights, Missouri; his sisters-in-law, Geri (Jim) Jolley, of Swansea, Illinois and Ruth Ann (Roger) Carnaghi, of Shiloh, Illinois, and Oneta Gerling, of Fairview Heights, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorials are appreciated to the Elks National Foundation or the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: Services will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 23, 2018 at the funeral home with Pastor Brian Robison officiating. Interment will follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.