Freddie Lee Edwards, age 86, died in his home at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. The youngest of six, Freddie was born on May 14, 1932, in Marion to the late Amos Monroe and Cora Eastes Edwards.
Freddie graduated from Marion High School and worked as a caddie at Meshingomesia Country Club. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as a tanker in the 3rd Armored Division. Freddie was a member of the Marion Elks and the Mississinewa Boat and Ski Club, and he served his community as a leader in the local Boy Scouts, as a Little League coach at Lincoln Field, and even a time as a school bus driver for Marion Community Schools. Freddie also enjoyed helping his son, Keith (deceased), care for his horses, taking his family camping and fishing though professing no great love of eating fish, and taking roll after roll of pictures leading to the moniker “Flashing Freddie”.
During the Boat and Ski Club years, Freddie enjoyed pulling skiers up and down the river and teaching others to water ski. He was an avid golfer and, following his retirement from Marion’s U.S. Postal Service at the age of 55, Freddie played golf nearly every day. He had a giving spirit and a servant’s heart, caring for an elderly woman acquired from Daniel’s newspaper route for many years, mowing yards of many he knew needed help, and clearing driveways with his Craftsman snow blower.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Burnau Edwards; sons, Daniel (Kathy) Edwards, Marion, and Mitchell (Rhonda) Edwards, Mansfield, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Kara (Adam) Edwards Hendey, Marion, Kristan (Donavan) Edwards Higginbotham, Marion, Dr. Kora Edwards, Indianapolis, Joshua (Brittany), Marion, Justin (Amy), Kokomo, Jessie (Justin) Edwards Roedl, St. Louis, Missouri, Jason Stair, Fort Wayne, Brittani (Alex) Edwards Beardsley, Mulberry, Florida, and Phillip Edwards, Kissimmee, Florida; 15 great-grandchildren, Leah and Lane Hendey, Logan and Brock Higginbotham, Nicholas, Bentley, Jacelyn, and Hannah Edwards, Caleb and Devin Beardsley, Willow, Keifer, and Jensen Edwards, and Aydan and Aubry Roedl.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Keith Alan.
Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2018, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Services to celebrate Freddie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the funeral home with Pastor Jason Stanley officiating. Burial will follow at Grant Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952; U.S.O., P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C. 20077-7677; or Christland UMC, 721 E. Charles St., Marion, IN 46952.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.