Edward J. “Ed” Conrad
June 11th, 1929 - April 8th, 2023
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Ed's Obituary
Edward James Conrad, 93, of Coloma passed away peacefully on April 8th at Woodland Terrace Assisted Living Facility after a short illness.
He was born on June 11, 1929 in Skokie, Illinois to John and Mathilda Conrad, later moving to Benton Harbor, Michigan. Following his education at St. John’s Catholic School, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict while stationed at O’Hare Field. He earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.
Ed married Georgianna Kroll on May 26, 1951. He worked for Farmers and Merchants Bank (later National Bank of Detroit) for 31 years, rising to Executive Vice President. During this time, he served as President of the Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce and then, following his retirement from the bank, worked as Executive Vice President of the Chamber where he oversaw many changes and challenges in both the Twin Cities and the Chamber itself. This included the founding of the Community Economic Development Corporation—a partnership formed in 1987 between the Chamber and Whirlpool Corporation.
Ed was a dedicated member of SS John and Bernard Catholic Church where he served in various capacities. He was instrumental in starting the Twin Cities Area Catholic School Fund for Our Lady of the Lake (formerly Lake Michigan) Catholic School. Ed’s life priorities were his God, his family and his community. For decades, he gave of his time, talent and treasure as an avid fundraiser for various community organizations, having raised millions of dollars for, among others, the Easter Seals Campaign, the St. Joseph Public Library, the Krasl Art Center, and Lakeland Health Foundation, where he was recognized as a Board Member Emeritus. He was also active in the Fairplain Lions Club where he was recognized by Lions Clubs International as a Melvin Jones Fellow. Ed enjoyed many hours on local golf courses with friends and family and loved to go camping with his family.
His wife of 64 years, Georgianna, passed away in 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his son Greg and wife Pam of Denver, North Carolina; his son Tim and wife Sue of Fennville; his son Bryan and wife Jan of Coloma; and his daughter Diane (Curry) and husband Jeff of Reunion, Florida. Ed loved to spend time with his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren regaling them with stories of his past and lots of corny jokes.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Arul Lazar officiating. Friends may visit with the family at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Ed’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Donations in Ed’s name may be made to the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club or Caring Circle Hospice.
He was born on June 11, 1929 in Skokie, Illinois to John and Mathilda Conrad, later moving to Benton Harbor, Michigan. Following his education at St. John’s Catholic School, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict while stationed at O’Hare Field. He earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking.
Ed married Georgianna Kroll on May 26, 1951. He worked for Farmers and Merchants Bank (later National Bank of Detroit) for 31 years, rising to Executive Vice President. During this time, he served as President of the Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce and then, following his retirement from the bank, worked as Executive Vice President of the Chamber where he oversaw many changes and challenges in both the Twin Cities and the Chamber itself. This included the founding of the Community Economic Development Corporation—a partnership formed in 1987 between the Chamber and Whirlpool Corporation.
Ed was a dedicated member of SS John and Bernard Catholic Church where he served in various capacities. He was instrumental in starting the Twin Cities Area Catholic School Fund for Our Lady of the Lake (formerly Lake Michigan) Catholic School. Ed’s life priorities were his God, his family and his community. For decades, he gave of his time, talent and treasure as an avid fundraiser for various community organizations, having raised millions of dollars for, among others, the Easter Seals Campaign, the St. Joseph Public Library, the Krasl Art Center, and Lakeland Health Foundation, where he was recognized as a Board Member Emeritus. He was also active in the Fairplain Lions Club where he was recognized by Lions Clubs International as a Melvin Jones Fellow. Ed enjoyed many hours on local golf courses with friends and family and loved to go camping with his family.
His wife of 64 years, Georgianna, passed away in 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his son Greg and wife Pam of Denver, North Carolina; his son Tim and wife Sue of Fennville; his son Bryan and wife Jan of Coloma; and his daughter Diane (Curry) and husband Jeff of Reunion, Florida. Ed loved to spend time with his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren regaling them with stories of his past and lots of corny jokes.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Arul Lazar officiating. Friends may visit with the family at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Ed’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Donations in Ed’s name may be made to the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club or Caring Circle Hospice.
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