Edward Carl Brockman Sr.

Ed was born on the family farm in Engadine, Mich., on Aug. 5, 1928, to Herman and Anna (Price) Brockman. He grew up and attended the Engadine School. The oldest of two younger brothers and a sister, his working career started early in his life working at different sawmills and logging operations around the area until he enlisted in the Army on Feb. 4, 1946. After his honorable discharge in July of 1947, he worked a short time in Paw Paw, Mich., where he met Mary Agnes Carrington whom he married on June 20, 1948.

They started their new life together in Newberry, Mich., moving to Engadine a few years later, opening a small store and gas station while raising their five children. Ed was employed at the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center, however he soon returned to the outdoors he loved, pursuing careers in and around the woods. His final career was superintendent of a clearing contract company. His proudest accomplishment was clearing the land for the future Epcot Center in Florida. Together Ed and Mary were instrumental in establishing the logging museum in Newberry.

Upon his retirement, he operated a small sawmill and took up his true passion of wood carving and woodworking which his many carvings are enjoyed by his family and many friends. Ed loved spending time at camp, sitting on the porch watching the birds and deer and keeping the squirrels out of the bird feeders, deer camp and making maple syrup at the Brockman Sugar Bush. He loved the “art of telling the tale” which he entertained us with many times over the years. Ed built lasting friendships with the Amish families establishing in Engadine, bringing new life to the old farms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 50 years, Mary, his son Edward “Skip” Brockman, daughter-in-law, Gayle Brockman, brother-in-law William Ketvirtis, sister-in-law Lorraine Brockman and an infant brother.

Ed is survived by his children, Christie (Bob) Decatur, Debbie Ernstes, Rosemary (Roy) Hume and Nathan (Kathy) Brockman; grandchildren, Kathy Mclean, Robyn (Dale) Androl, Darin (Edith) Brockman, Chad Brockman, Travis Ernstes, Scott (Melissa) Ernstes, Joshua (Angela) Ernstes, Deanna (JD) Cheatwood, Brian (Candi) Kjellin, Stacey Brockman and Mallory (Adam Sutter) Brockman; 24 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Henry Brockman, Donald (Carol) Brockman and sister, Marie Ketvirtis.

The family of Edward Brockman would like to express our deepest thanks to the many people who helped him at his home and to the kind and compassionate staff at the DJ Jacobetti Home.

A graveside memorial service officiated by Pastor Arthur Bode will be held on June 8 at 3 p.m. at the Engadine Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Hall at 4 p.m.

Memorials may be made in Ed’s name to the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Ed will be missed by all those lives he touched.

A message of condolence may be directed to the Brockman family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.