Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
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Edward Hiaeshutter

September 28, 1929 - February 2, 2023
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, February 8, 2023
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Rosary Prayer Service

Wednesday, February 8, 2023
7:30 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Thursday, February 9, 2023
10:00 AM EST
Holy Spirit Church
2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Web Site

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, February 9, 2023
11:00 AM EST
Holy Spirit Church
2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Holy Spirit Educational Foundation
2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Web Site

Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Michigan Chapter
2944 Fuller Ave, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 459-4558
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Dad was not a man of few words, nor was he a man of many words. Quite frankly, if he was reading his obituary he’d say “It’s too much to read”. Yet, there aren’t enough words to express what he meant to his family and all that knew him. Following are only snippets of his life. I hope it does him justice. Dad, It Was a Wonderful Life!

Edward William Hiaeshutter lived a life rich in faith, family and friends. His children and grandchildren would agree that Ed was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Unwavering in his faith and commitment to those he loved. Ed’s joy was his family and he dedicated his life in support of their personal ambitions. Ed was known for his great sense of humor and how quick he’d be to draw a laugh from you, no matter how your day went. With his beloved wife Mary, Ed embraced every day with gratitude and every person with a warm greeting, handshake or smile. Admired by many, Ed will long inspire all who were blessed to know him. Dad, you are deeply missed.

Born September 28, 1929 in Grand Rapids MI, to the late Edward and Lillian (Julien) Hiaeshutter, Ed grew up on GR’s Westside thru the years of the Great Depression and WWII. As a child, Ed grew up in a family rooted in faith and hard work. His father owned his own electrical contracting business, Hi-Lo Electric, and his mother was a homemaker. He and his younger brother James enjoyed being outdoors. As boys do, he explored his world beyond the Westside on bicycles with his friends. Wintertime would find them ice skating and playing hockey at John Ball Park. Sometime along the way dad picked up the desire to hunt small game, got hooked, and never looked back. Ed attended St. Mary’s Catholic School for his early education before going to Union High School. After completing the tenth grade, Ed quit school to help in his dad’s business. Learning the trades proved to be very useful for him in the years to follow as he learned the value of installing or fixing many things.

On February 10, 1951, Ed enlisted in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Rucker Alabama for basic training. Remaining at Fort Rucker after his training, Ed’s parents drove down for a visit. During their visit, Ed’s dad quickly became a celebrity amongst his soldier buddies. During a pass from base and a night on the town, Ed’s fellow soldiers found it easier to get served after they started to call his Dad, “Colonel ''. It worked so well so they stuck with it. Dad was sure they were all going to get thrown in the brig. Ed worked as a cook in the Army and thought it was the best of jobs as he found that many soldiers be-friended the folk that prepare their food and that officers generally left the cooks alone. Set to be deployed to Korea, orders changed due to his remaining time to serve. Ed stayed stateside until his honorable discharge in 1953. Dad’s stories of his time in the Army were most interesting and frequently a subject for after dinner conversation. He was so proud to have served his country. He wished he could have reunited with his Army buddy, Bill Sanders. I am so very sorry Dad.

Before he left for his military service in 1951, Ed met the love of his life, Mary LeMire, while ice skating at John Ball Park. A student at Aquinas College at the time, Mary captured Ed’s heart. Once again, he was hooked and never looked back. Early on in their dating, Ed received the approval of Mary’s father when he installed a hot water heater in their home that provided the family's first running hot water. The couple married on June 21, 1952, at St. James Church, while Ed was home on leave preparing for what was planned to be his deployment to Korea. They would be married for the next 70 years. After his discharge, Ed and Mary lived at 247 Valley Avenue NW. In time, Ed sought property to build a home. With great fortune, a local farmer sold him a parcel of property where Ed hunted as a young man, 340 Collindale Avenue SW. It was on this land that Ed and Mary created a life of memories and devoted themselves to providing a loving home to their children. And so their family grew. He was a strict but loving father. With his faith as the foundation of his life, Ed taught life lessons by example, spent quality time with his sons in the hunting seasons, kept a watchful eye on his 2 daughters, as much as could be, and instilled the importance of family gathering at the dinner table most every night. The family enjoyed vacations to Baltimore Maryland and New York to visit relatives. Side trips to Washington DC and Gettysburg will forever be a cherished memory for us. Many summer weekends were spent in Newaygo at our grandparents’ cottage on Kimball Lake.

Mary and Ed enjoyed an active social life filled with friendships and adventure. For many years they joined several couples in a card club. While playing cards was the official goal, they mostly gathered for social time, taking turns hosting in their homes. The festivities were known to carry on well into the night. Mom and Dad also loved to dance. A hugging moment could easily turn into a few spins around the kitchen floor.

Ed took over his father’s business, which he proudly ran until he retired in 1994, then handed it over to his son, Ed. Though he continued to work over the years, he and Mary had more time to travel and spend time with their grandchildren. They spent long weekends at their cottage on Nichols Lake near Bitely, Michigan, which quickly became the family gathering spot and so many wonderful family memories. Adventures within the US and Europe were also checked off the bucket list. While away in Hawaii, their children successfully remodeled their entire kitchen. The couple were overjoyed and completely surprised to tears when returning to their new kitchen.

The outdoors continued to be a place preferred to be throughout his life. Whether hunting, snowmobiling, taking a walk, or watching Michigan Outdoors on TV, Ed’s connection and appreciation for the natural world were always evident. His grandchildren were his heart’s delight, and he proved a good listener who enjoyed his talks about life with his grandchildren. Fun-loving, Ed would call them “Turkey,” if they were caught first while sneaking up on him. A devoted Catholic, Ed was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Church who enjoyed serving in various positions at the church.

Clearly, our world feels less certain in the absence of Dad’s presence. May we find comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his soul mate, Mary, who passed on January 5, 2023. In each moment we center ourselves in faith, face life’s challenges, generously give of our gifts, explore the great outdoors, or take to the dance floor with our beloved, we celebrate the many ways Ed gifted our lives. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspire others as he so inspired each of us.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Hiaeshutter; and brother, James Hiaeshutter. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Edward (Angela), Mark (Jane), William (Rose), Jean Dolci (Vito), Richard (Cindy), and Julie Nichols (Jeff); your host of adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Lifelong friends George/Sue Gay, Ron/Mary Glowacki, Dick/Rose VanHaften, Mrs. Connie LeMire and extended LeMire, Hiaeshutter, Brannick VanHaften and Gay families. Special appreciation to our wonderful caregivers and Hospice team who so lovingly cared for our parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 11 AM at Holy Spirit Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family Wednesday from 5-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM; and beginning at 10 AM on Thursday at the Church. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

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