October 26, 1936 – December 24, 2023
Sue thought he was cute as she saw him singing in a quartet. He thought she was pretty as she sat in the congregation at Brookside Evangelical Church in Indianapolis. That was 1957. Isn’t that basis enough for a marriage?
Up times, down times, happy and hurtful times. They made it. Sixty-four years and beyond.
Ed indulged in cars and drag racing with his father, Earl, and brother, Doyle, before his own family life took over. He continued to enjoy his brother’s hobby as it expanded.
Until he forgot.
Kids added another dimension to his life. Gregory and Elizabeth. And then grandkids came along. Will, Madeline, Justin, and Benjamin. Entirely different experiences being a father and our Poppy.
He loved and felt responsible to the church, and especially the choir, whether it be at Brookside Church in Indianapolis in his youth and where he was married or at Noblesville First United Methodist Church later. Whenever asked, Ed was there to sing. Many friendships joined, many now only remembrances as the years passed with its toll. He grew strength from singing in choirs, groups of all sizes, and especially enjoyed the Merry Folk group with the every Sunday night practices at Mary and Gordon Resler’s home. Later his dulcet voice served in men’s a cappella groups.
Until he forgot.
He was a relatively quiet man, though he thoroughly enjoyed being around others. At home celebrations of any kind; he would set the dining room table and continually ask if there was enough food or are there enough gifts for, name any name.
One passion remained: softball. Playing for years on teams from grade school until just a few years ago, traveling here and there. But he always came back and never forgot his family and his church.
Arsenal Technical High School carpentry classes prepared him unknowingly for remodeling and quasi building houses. Five of his own. Starting with the house purchased in 1959 from his grandmother’s estate for $7,000 with a hand pump in the kitchen. After paneling the kitchen with Philippine mahogany (that’s right) and Sue painting the old footed bathtub feet with gold fingernail polish, they started their married life.
They moved on when son, Gregory, and daughter, Elizabeth, entered the scene. Gregg was soon the occupant of the newly finished attic in the next house. Ed drew plans and built a garage and added rooms in the modest little white house. Screened in porch, the whole bit. Then it was painted green, then it was painted yellow with white shutters. Done with Sue’s constantly changing exterior decor ideas, Ed moved the family to a red brick house with city water. No more painted siding and no more malfunctioning water pump especially timed with diaper pileups.
Following that, several other locations with design and structural changes, their family life also changed. Different church, school districts, different kids’ activities. School bands! Ed, with another person remodeled a school equipment bus for the band. He then drove it and stayed the week with the band as they practiced for the State Fair competition. Oh, what fun and good days those were accompanying daughter Elizabeth to band camp and multiple band competitions in the early 1980s.
Later on with fewer home and work responsibilities. he returned to softball. He made more friendships as he travelled with the teams. He enjoyed traveling with the Silver Foxes but never thought of leaving Indiana. Roots were here.
He never forgot home.
Then on to more recreation. Still music but a different kind. Every Tuesday night at a local jazz club. Swing dancing lessons didn’t quite work out so well, but the music was enjoyed. How he loved taking that weekly trek across town for dinner and music.
Until he forgot.
In the late 1990s, Ed finally got a 1938 Desoto that he always wanted. In between car shows it sat in the garage so it wouldn’t get dirty. He took it to cars shows with son, Gregg, and brother, Doyle, and at least once took it to the Noblesville Square. He loved car shows. He loved cars. The highlight was when he and Gregg attended the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival each Labor Day weekend. He even liked pursuing car dealer lots then coming home expressing his latest infatuation to a very disinterested Sue.
Until he forgot.
Dedication, dependability, and responsibility describe Ed West. Whether it be his family, his church choir, or his career. His banking career spanned years in Operations and Trust Departments at Merchants National Bank, succeeded by National City Bank and finally PNC.
Ed showed his love through his acts of service and generosity. You knew Ed cared for you although he did not always use words to express his feelings.
Services will be held and noon on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville, with visitation from 10 a.m. to noon. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Condolences: randallroberts.com