Obituary of Jack "Ed" Edward Mahar

Jack “Ed” Edward Mahar, 75, of Berrien Center, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, June 1, 2018, while surrounded by his loving family.

Ed was born on May 25, 1943, to the late Walter and Margaret (Peters) Mahar in South Bend, Indiana.  While Ed was a senior at Washington High School he enlisted in the United States Navy.  After boot camp, he commissioned the USS Dahlgren DLG-12 and spent the next few years at sea.  Ed, also known as “Moose”, served as a Boilerman 3^rd Class.  Ed was a proud veteran and was a member of the Eau Claire American Legion Post 353.  After returning home, Ed settled at Bendix Corp. and at 56 years old, he retired from Honeywell.  On July 29, 2000, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ed wed Dian and the two began their life together with their combined family including eight sons. Ed was a member of the Masonic Temple St. Joseph Valley Lodge #4 in Niles where he was a Past Master.  At the time that Ed became the Master, he was the youngest one ever at that time.

After retirement, Ed did many of the home projects that he wanted to finish on his home that had been recently built.  He later decided retirement wasn’t for him; he couldn’t sit idle at home.  He began mowing grass, helping out at American Legion events, and working part time jobs. All of this afforded Ed the ability to spend time with his family which was his number one priority in life.  He made sure all of his children were educated and grew up to be productive young men that he was proud of.  Ed also had nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who adored him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Mahar and Margaret Woods; siblings, Jimmy Mahar, Kathy Matthews, and Wilma Fell.

Ed is survived by his wife of 18 years, Dian Mahar; sons, Jack (Dawn) Mahar Jr. of Niles, Stephen Mahar of Niles, Andrew (Christine) Mahar of Niles, and Michael (Jennifer) Mahar of Niles; step-sons, Dana (Kathy) Rose of Coloma, George Rose of Hartford, Brad (Karen) Rose of Watervliet, and Erik Rose of Hartford; grandchildren, Krysta-Lee, Hannah, Colton, Chelsea, Tyler, McKenzie, Gavin, Brad Jr., and Brook; great-grandchildren, Kaleb, William, and Jaxon; siblings, Dixie (Paul) Schauer of Paw Paw, Joe (Tammy) Mahar of Boonsville, Texas, Gary (Stacy) Mahar of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Tonja Mahar of Azle, Texas; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Rite’s being held at 6:30 p.m.  Funeral services to celebrate Ed’s wonderful life will be held at Berrien Center Bible Church on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Union Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Memorial Herman who supports those with Leigh’s Syndrome, in honor of Ed’s great-grandson, or to the Southwestern Michigan Veteran’s Support Group whom Ed supported through the American Legion. Memorial Hermann donations can be made online at www.MemorialHermann.org/donate or by mail at 929 Gessner, Suite 2650, Houston, TX 77024. Donation envelopes for both charities will be available at the funeral home.