With the mantra “I’m going to live until I die,” he did just that until the morning of September 29, 2025, when his loving soulmate Mary Jo demanded his presence in heaven, just one day shy of his 86th birthday. Ed was born Edmund Charles Koehler to parents Charles and Margaret Koehler in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday September 30, 1939. The eldest of 5 children, he was raised in Beloit, Wisconsin, changing his name to Edward sometime in his teenage years. Ed/Eddie developed a strong work ethic and love of cars at an early age working at his uncle’s gas station. He grew up Lutheran, but converted his entire family to Catholicism so he could attend Beloit Catholic High School where he was a graduate of the class of ‘57. While not always the best student academically, he excelled in baseball/football and met the love of his life, Mary Jo McKearn, in Spanish class. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville with aspirations of becoming a mechanical engineer. Unfortunately, degrees in Pinochle and beer drinking were not offered at the time, so he dropped out and started working as a maintenance man at Adam’s Korn Kurl (creators of what are now known as Cheetos), in Beloit. He and Mary Jo married on April 23, 1960, and settled in Beloit. They became parents to three daughters, Michele, Beth and Theresa, within the span of 3 1/2 years. Ed worked hard at many jobs to provide for his family and was considered a jack of all trades. It was often said if Ed can’t fix it nobody can! In 1970, he was offered a job as a maintenance engineer at Tasty Foods in Denver, Colorado. With little hesitation, he packed up the family and headed west. Over the years he worked for Jolly Rancher Candy as a maintenance engineer and Red Seal Potato Chip Company as the fleet mechanic before retiring as a bus mechanic for the Adams County School district in 1992. Ed and Mary Jo welcomed a fourth daughter Heidi in 1972. Ed fell in love with the Colorado mountains and bought a plot of land at the Circle R Ranch in South Park. Purchasing a kit from a local lumber yard and using the alternator on his car for electricity, he began building the cabin in the Spring of 1974. Many a weekend over years was devoted to making it into the wonderful retreat it is today. One of his greatest joys in life was becoming Pa to his two grandchildren Delaney and Hayden. He loved to travel any and every where and did so often. Maui for whale watching was a cherished destination. Favorite pastimes were morning coffee in the hot tub, fishing at the cabin, cheering for his favorite sports teams, watching Nascar races and grabbing a beer at a local brewery. Ed and Mary Jo welcomed everyone into their home and made everyone feel like family, The patriarch of the Koehler family leaves behind his daughters Michele Heye (Otto), Beth (Rick Becker d.), Theresa and Heidi (Devin Koontz divorced). Grandchildren Delaney (Ben Seibold) and Hayden. Sister Cindy Rich and countless family and friends who will miss his infectious smile. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Jo. (August 2023), his parents and siblings Dick, Karen and Chuck. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, October 14 at 11 a.m., St. Jude Catholic Church, 9405 W. Florida Ave. Lakewood, CO. 80232 A luncheon in the church hall will follow. Burial will take place at Como Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Ed’s honor to either The South Park Rail Society https://www.southparkrailsociety.org/ or The West Maui Improvement Foundation https://www.westmauiimprovementfoundation.org/