Edward Joseph Wery

The early years of his life were lived in extreme hardship. He was never provided with frivolous things, but he always said his grandmother provided him with plenty of love. Despite these hardships, Ed managed to have courage at age 14 and built his grandmother and himself their first home using a shovel by hand to dig the basement. Today that home still stands and its where his late beloved wife Elizabeth Jane Wery raised their four children. Many additions and remodeling took place as the family grew.

His youthful days were spent working on a farm for Emil and Salina DeGrave whom he called Grandma and Grandpa. He did this for seven years while he attended school at Powers High School and graduated in 1952. It was there where he developed his carpentry skills in woodshop class and immediately loved working with wood. If he was tardy or late the teachers would ask where’s Ed they would promptly say, down in the wood shop.

He found employment at Robinsons furniture chair factory as an assembler of furniture, a foreman over the woods crew, and later drove truck for the company to Naperville and Chicago, with deliveries. This is where he met (Elizabeth) better known as “Betty”, as she was also employed at the same furniture factory. They dated for one year and were married in the Lutheran church in Hyde on a beautiful “Fall” day on October 28,1956. He and our mom were later baptized in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and were members ever since. There he held offices in the church as a Deacon, was on the church and school board, and building committees.

Following their first year of marriage they were expecting their first child a daughter named Debra. It was then Ed felt he needed a job that provided more income for his family. He was fortunate to find work with Howard Berger a well-known carpenter and felt he received great knowledge from him. From that time on he became known as a successful craftsman of the trade. His family started to multiply as his family grew bigger when three sons came along Stephen, Ronald, and Gary. When Howard Berger retired it was time for him to seek new employment. It was then he worked for another renowned carpenter Martin Krokstad Jr. for nine years until it was time for him to go into business for himself. He and our mother were a great business team as this is where he began to find satisfaction and success. It is possible you could be sitting in a home built or remodeled by him.

It was very important to him and our mother that his children have a Christian education and solid work ethic, living by their examples. Mission accomplished. Our Dad’s motto was “work hard play hard” and he always found something for us to do. Dad worked six days a week except for Saturday and on Sunday he only worked until noon. Sunday was family fun day. Mom would pack a picnic lunch and when our chores were done it was off to Lake Antoine where we all learned to swim and waterski till dusk. If the day was not nice, he took us fishing in a homemade wooden boat. We kids called it “the boat with angel wings” If you saw it, you would understand why. He also took his family on many vacations and family cruises. Memories to last a lifetime. He never enjoyed the city life or hustle and bustle of what came with it. He never enjoyed wearing a suit and tie unless he had to. Most likely you would see our dad wearing a tee shirt or a flannel, jeans, work boots and a baseball hat. He loved the country lifestyle. Being in the woods with his chainsaw or riding on his machinery was his favorite pastime. When his machinery would breakdown, he would call his favorite mechanic, Joe Bellmore.

After retirement he loved cutting firewood for family and friends with around 60 clients each year to cut and deliver firewood to. He also delivered pulp wood to the local papermill. He did not feel like this was work instead he called it his hobby. He could tell you every name of any tree in the woods. He also had a love for stock car, Indy and NASCAR racing. He enjoyed watching the Iverson and Richer brothers battle it out, for the win, back in the day. He also liked watching NASCAR. His favorite driver, being Kyle Bush. He enjoyed watching the race with a cold can of Pepsi and a Snickers bar. He also liked pizza and tacos whenever family would watch the race with him. He enjoyed listening to Christian music, old country music, and a good Polka song as he was Polish.

He enjoyed his talks with fellow contractors in the area and respected their skills as well. He became very well known to many of the local lumber yards where he purchased building supplies and appreciated their service. Besides working alongside his sons and grandsons, he loved and respected those who worked for him. Scott Pepin, Allan Lanaville, Joe Soper, and Roger the painter just to mention a few. Some of his greatest accomplishments for him was being a part of the construction at the Comfort Suites in Escanaba, the Professional Building, Lake Bluff Development, and the Econo Lodge in Menominee. He took his jobs seriously.

His greatest love besides his family was time spent in the woods.

His famous last words before leaving the house were “The woods are calling”.

How could we sum up our father? He was honest, humble, gentle, and kind man, with a witty sense of humor, and the prettiest blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled. He was a good husband, father of four, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren, and love for his beloved dogs; Whinchester, Princess, Prince, and Elvis.

His survivors: daughter, Debra (Steven) Besson of Fort Myers, Florida; sons, Steve (Debbie) Wery of Carney, Ronald (Terri) Wery of Carney, Gary (Maggi)Wery of Gladstone; grandchildren, Joshua (Shannon) Jupe of Gladstone Tennile Jupe (Jason Bellefeuil) of Arizona, Jesse Wery (Ashley Benson) of Wilson, Jason Wery of Bark River, Ryan Wery of Escanaba, Brittany Wery, Olivia Wery of Gladstone, and Theodore Wery (Hannah Ries) of Gladstone; great-grandchildren, Alexys Jackson, Abygail Jackson, Allyson Jackson, Kayleigh Bratonia, Brayden Jupe, Karter Jupe, Brody Bellefeuil; great-great-grandchildren, Irelynn Wery, Grayson Jackson, Grant Jackson, Vallie Ann Harris, Drew Peyton Walters, and River Jon Shanahan.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Wery, three sisters in laws Beverly, Sally, and Sheryl, brothers-in-law- Edward Jenshak, Terry, Gerald, and John.

He is survived by his sisters-in-law Barb Jenshak, Sandra (Jay) Peters, brothers-in-law Wilford (Rose)Borden, David (Pam) Borden along with several nieces and nephews.

A cabin in the woods has been built by his son where our father spent many a day cutting trees and enjoying nature. It is called the “EJW Ranch” the initials of our parents Edward Joseph Wery and Elizabeth Jane Wery, it is here where their legacy will be remembered as a family cabin where family will continue to make more memories.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Raveesh and Dr. Linder along with all the medical staff who took such wonderful care of our father with love, dignity, and respect.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: hence there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)

Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. EST at the Wilson Seventh Day Adventist Church, N13902 County Road 551, Wilson, MI on October 6, 2024. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. EST with burial at the Wilson Seventh-Day Adventist Cemetery. A dinner will be served after the committal service at the Gourley Township Hall, approximately one half mile south of the Wilson Seventh -Day Adventist Church on County Road 551.

The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Wery family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneral.net.