VERONA – Edward John Faber passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2015, in Verona.

He was born on May 25, 1924, in Menominee, Mich., to Edward P. and Mary M. (Kramer) Faber. After graduating from Menominee High School in 1941, he entered Michigan Tech University with a double major in civil engineering and forestry. His studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 9, 1942. After basic training at Fort Belvoir, Va., he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After graduating as a lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, he served in the 102nd Amphibious Engineer Brigade. When the war ended he remained in the Officer Reserve and in 1950 joined the Wisconsin National Guard. In 1961 he served on active duty during the Berlin Crisis. His final assignment was with the Wisconsin Military Academy. Upon the conclusion of World War II, he returned to Michigan Tech University and graduated in 1947. He was selected for membership in the Blue Key National Honor Society. He immediately began employment with the Wisconsin Conservation Department and served in Mercer, Neillsville, Superior, Marinette and in 1963 transferred to Madison. He held several titles in the department including district forester, director of Park Planning, deputy director of State Parks and director of the Bureau of Real Estate. He retired in November, 1984, after 37 years of service.

Ed married Dorothy M. Hubert on Dec. 29, 1947 and they enjoyed over 67 years together. They have six children, Michael (Lynn) of Essex Junction, Vt., Barbara (John) Bloodgood of Denver, Colo., Timothy (Leanne) of New Glarus, John (Lori) of Middleton, David of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and Anne Marie (Jeff) Hyland of Verona. They have sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include Betsy and Nik Faber, Matthew and Jessica Bloodgood, Becky, Andy, Eliot and Tim Faber, Lindsay, Allison and Sarah Faber, Eva and Erik Faber and Cole, Ryan and Michael Hyland. Great-grandchildren are Vincent and Sierra Marselle, Jordan and Maya Faber, Evan and Sophie Faber, Phoebe and Owen Rogers, Madelyn Bloodgood, and Sophia Faber due to arrive in February.

Ed was a proud and active member of St. Andrew Catholic church where he served several terms on the church council and with the St. Andrew Council of the Knights of Columbus. For 17 years he taught religious education to the youth of St. Andrew’s Parish. He was a member of the first Common Council of the City of Verona and served several terms on the Police and Fire Commission and the Plan Commission. He served in many civic organizations, such as the American Legion, Reserve Officers Association, Society of American Foresters, Fraternal Order of Elks, Optimist International, International Right of Way Association, Nature Conservancy, Verona Historical Society and Boy Scouts of America. He was especially proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult scout he received a number of cherished awards while serving over 35 years on three different Regional Boy Scout Councils.

He enjoyed winters in Alamo, Texas, and summers in his cottage at Neshkoro. Ed and Dorothy loved to travel and visit their children and children’s children. They visited all fifty states and thirty seven foreign countries. In retirement he enjoyed researching his family ancestry, his wife’s ancestry and the spouses of his six children. For most of his life, a favorite pastime was competing with friends in an evening of contract bridge. He is best described as a dedicated conservationist who loved to hunt and fish, to hike and ski, to swim and boat, and to enjoy the wonders of nature.

Serving country and community was important to him and second only to his love and devotion to church and family. As a resourceful writer, he authored several books, numerous scientific papers, many periodicals, publications and a variety of essays. His wife, Dorothy, six children and 25 grandchildren survive him. His parents preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at ST. ANDREW’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 N. Main St., Verona, with Father William Vernon presiding. Burial will follow at Verona Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you honor his memory with gifts to your favorite charity.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Edward Faber

May 25, 1924 - January 13, 2015

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