Edward Ashley Relken

May 13th, 1924 to November 11th, 2011
Edward Ashley Relken, 87, of Fort Gratiot, passed away Friday November 11, 2011 after a short illness.

He was born May 13, 1924 in Port Huron to the late William and Ella Relken. He married Maurine M. George on April 26, 1946 in Port Huron.

Mr. Relken retired from the Port Huron Fire Department in 1980 after 30 years of service and was active with the International Association of Fire Fighters. He also was a courier for Peoples Bank/Bank One for 14 years and sold Knapp Shoes for 40 years. Ed served with the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and actively supported many local charities.

Ed remained active his entire life and his passion was to love his wife and family. He cherished his wife, Maurine everyday of their 65 years together. He loved country music, bragging about his family and was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers. He had a very special relationship with his 19 month old great granddaughter, Carmen Elizabeth Whitcher. He had pictures and stories of all the other grandkids and great grandkids as well. Dad’s day was driven by over 20 cups of coffee complete with triple cream and sugar. He loved to kiss people and give big thumbs up. He loved life and living and the clock in his room was inscribed with the words “Trust in God, Believe in Yourself”. He practiced that every day with every person he met. He never complained or asked for anything for himself. He knew the real meaning of wealth and was a star for the entire family.

He is survived by his wife, Maurine; a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Carole) Whitcher of Fort Gratiot; two sons, James (Marian) Relken of Port Huron and John (LuAnn) Relken of Climax; daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Relken of Burtchville; nine grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; a brother Robert Max (Judy) Relken of Antona, Wisconsin; a sister, Mrs. Donald (Joyce) Wessel of Marysville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Relken on October 25, 2011, a brother, William Relken and a sister, Marjorie Chesney.

Visitation will be 1-4 & 6-9 PM Sunday, November 13, 2011 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday in St. John’s United Church of Christ, 710 Pine Street, Port Huron. The Reverend Dr. M. Jacob Kaufman will officiate.

Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of St. Clair County Allied Veterans at 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Inurnment will be in Allied Veterans Cemetery Columbarium.

Memorials may be made to St. Johns United Church of Christ or the Council on Aging Inc. Transportation Program.

To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com.

The family would like to honor and thank the staff and caregivers of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Regency on the Lake for their superior care of Dad. Also special thanks to the Council on Aging Inc. Transportation program for years of support.

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