Edwin D. Beardsley 1938-2023

Edwin was born on Aug. 7, 1938, in Canfield, to Ward Dean and Geneve Barker Beardsley.

He was raised on Dean Hill Dairy Farm and graduated from Canfield High School in 1956. His love for farming led to a career in soil conservation. He also served in the Army Reserve for several years.

Ed married Jeanne Marie DeGregory on Aug. 11, 1962, and they were married nearly 61 years. As a young couple, Ed and Jeanne lived in Tiffin, Dayton, and Westerville between 1962 and 1974, where he worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. They had their children, Dean, Kelly, John and Heather, during these years. In 1974, the family moved to Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where Ed continued to work in the area of soil conservation, until his retirement in 2001 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Ed loved doing things with his family. He coached softball, worked on cars, and attended concerts and art shows. He liked classic cars, Allis Chalmers tractors, and watching the Indy 500. He enjoyed being outside and often could be found reading a book and watching birds on the patio. In retirement, Ed and Jeanne enjoyed traveling around the U.S., visiting national parks and landmarks, learning about American history, and participating in the restoration of historic places.

Ed is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his sisters, Barbara (Jack) Reed of Milwaukee, Wis. and Shirley Martz of Mesa, Ariz.; his children, Dean (Rita Zilifian) Beardsley of Mesa, Ariz., Kelly (Jake) Wilson of Indianola, Iowa, John (Vanessa) Beardsley of St. Paul, Minn. and Heather (Sam) Housker of Ankeny, Iowa; and his grandchildren, Bethany and Isaac Wilson, Solomon Beardsley and Theo and Abby Housker.

Memorial contributions can be directed to Habitat for Humanity or National Park Foundation.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

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