We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Edward here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.
I grew up listening to stories about Uncle Ed and from Uncle Ed. Often I suspected that there might have been some embellishment but that was part of the fun. After all, what kid would not want to imagine that there really was a bunker under the house that could be entered through the fireplace mantle if you knew what buttons to push in the woodwork around the room?
I am grateful we had a couple of mutual stories we shared from time spent together. One fishing trip I managed to catch a few walleye more than he did one night and forever more I was the master angler.
It always felt good to be with the man.
He will be missed.
Gary Peters
Ed's Nephew
Reply
Gary Peters
December 21st, 2020 at 8:28pm
Pete and Randy Paruch, sorry to hear of your fathers passing. First met your Dad in 1963 and we played golf. He could get me exited with as he called them “miracle shots from just off the green”
He was a TRUE friend! Ed Behnke
PS I spent many hours at the New Buffalo post talking to him about life’s mysteries.
Reply
Edward Behnke
December 20th, 2020 at 8:59am
Dear Pete, I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of him give you comfort. And always remember that he's never really gone as long as you remember him. Chris Nails
Reply
Christina Nailss
December 19th, 2020 at 10:02pm
Ed was one of a kind, I could listen to his stories for hours. Such a interesting, dedicated, decent, funny man. I had the pleasure of working with Ed at the court house. He helped train me as a bailiff. He will always be remembered for his wonderful humor, and quick wit. God bless all of his family.
Reply
Sue Bancroft
December 19th, 2020 at 9:33pm
So sad to read of Ed's passing. I worked with him when I was in private practice and while in the Prosecutor's Office. He was such a warm and loving person. He had quite a sense of humor and was always chuckling about something. I loved his smile and kindness. My condolences to all of his family and friends. Peg Penninger
Reply
Margaret Stanley
December 18th, 2020 at 3:56pm
My earliest memory of Uncle Ed is his playfulness. He and grandpa kept warning me to never go into the basement there at grandma and grandpa's house, because there was a BEAR in there. Uncle Ed went so far as to go down there and bang around and make noises while Grandpa Peters played the straight man up there with me.
Uncle Ed will always be remembered as a kind-hearted man who, was always ready with a smile and kind word for me. He really surprised me a few years ago when he, even though not as spry as he used to be, arranged to come to Diana and Lydia's (my daughters) graduation open house. We hadn't expected him to come, and it brought tears to my eyes to see him , sharp as ever, sitting there getting better acquainted with my girls.
I love this man. I won't use the past tense there, for I am confident that I will see him again one day, and There we will have all the time we need to make up for lack of time spent together down here.
Jim Peters
Ed's Nephew
Reply
Jim Peters
December 18th, 2020 at 1:42pm
What a wonderful man and amazing story teller!! I had five amazing years getting to know Ed. We enjoyed stories of our love for Jackson and MSP. I wish I only had the memory that he did at 100 years old!
My favorite memory with Ed is giving him a hug at Jeanne's funeral and him saying with a large smile, "WOW. That is the first hug I have ever received from a State Police Lieutenant!!". His stories have been shared with many. I will truly miss talking and visiting with him. Thank you Paruch family for sharing him with his family in blue.
Reply
Melinda Logan
December 17th, 2020 at 1:45pm
(From retiree Ken Sleder, age 91 on the retiree email group)
It's sad to read of Ed Paruch passing away. I talked to him on the telephone just a few days ago. When I graduated from recruit school in April 1952, Russ Dow and I were assigned to Paw Paw. When we got to Paw Paw about supper time, Ken Cook the Post Commander was still at the Post. He said one of you guys go to work tonight, the other in the morning. I went to work that night. Sgt. Cook said I"ll have a four o'clock car pick you up at the Post at 7:00PM. The two troops in that car were Ed Paruch and Bill Sciamanna. Ed was not my senior partner exclusively but he was for a large percentage of the time while I was on probation.
Ed, his fiery red head wife Jeanne and my first wife, Nancy became good friends.
Sorry to see Ed go. (Ken Sleder)
Reply
Melinda Logan
December 17th, 2020 at 1:40pm
