Ed attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he met his wife, Jean Miller. They were united in marriage on January 2, 1947, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville, Iowa. Ed and Jean farmed together north of Luana, Iowa, and near Froelich, Iowa, until they retired to Monona, Iowa, in 1993.

Ed was the Blood Drive Coordinator for twenty years, a task he thoroughly enjoyed. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Am Vets and Kiwanis. Ed rarely missed the movies at Effigy Mounds and took the grandchildren along when possible. He will be remembered at both the McGregor and Guttenberg Care Centers for his whistling and smile.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Smith, Monona; three children, Barbara (Rodger) Repta, Bull Shoals, AR, Fred (Debbie) Smith, Luana, Jeffrey (Janelle) Smith, Farmersburg; grandchildren, Rodger (Marti) Repta and Jason (Kerri) Repta, Chad (Sarah) Smith, Christopher (Tracey) Smith, Adam, Austin, Aaron and Avrey Smith, Michelle (Rich) Wachholz, Peggy (David) Corlett and Amy (Patrick) Fleming; ten great-grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter; sisters, Dolores Bockman, Bradenton, FL, Betty Wormwood, Batavia, IL, Joan (John) Taylor, Murphy, NC, Merita (John) Nichels, Maple Park, IL; brother, Robert (Janice) Smith, Geneva, IL; brother-in-law, Donald Adam, Aurora, IL; sisters-in-law, Marion Smith, Murphy, NC, and Karen Smith, Carlsbad, CA.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, William, in infancy and Charles, in 1995; sister, Gertrude Adam; brothers, Paul and John Smith and brothers-in-law, Robert Wormwood and George Bockman.

Memorial may be directed to the St. Patrick Catholic Church building fund in Monona, Iowa.