Edwin Paul Reed

Edwin Paul Reed, 94, of Edinburg, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. He was born on October 4, 1926 in Taylorville, IL, the son of Ira E. Reed and Mary F. (Ross) Reed.

Paul graduated from Edinburg High School in 1944 and shortly thereafter answered the WWII call of duty enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He traveled to Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago for basic training. Upon completion of that training, he shipped off to Jacksonville, Florida and later to San Diego, California to complete his Naval service while receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. As a result of his Navy experience, he maintained a lifelong avid interest in aviation developments worldwide, always proud of his aviation mechanical and electrical expertise gained in the service.

After discharge, Paul returned to Edinburg and on July 4, 1948, Paul was joined in matrimony with Norma Rae Hargis who would remain his wife for nearly 70 years until her death on January 7, 2018. They resided in rural Edinburg, living their entire lives in Christian County where Paul was a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Paul was employed at Skelly Oil Company in Springfield, IL for 35 years and then by the State of Illinois for an additional 8 years. Thereafter, he managed the family farm acting as a faithful steward to the land passed down from his father and grandfather, Frederick Reed.

Paul is survived by three children, Michael Steven Reed (wife Mary Beth) of Marquette, MI, Gregory Curtis Reed (wife Susan) of Boynton Beach, FL, Patricia Lynn Greene of Rising Fawn, GA; six grandchildren, Kara Elizabeth Mackowiak (husband Brent), Michael Kelly Reed (wife Lauren), Patrick Reed Greene (wife Mary Carol), Andrew Braden Greene (wife Sonnet), Douglas Paul Greene, Geoffrey Edward Norman Greene (wife Carmen); nine great-grandchildren, Carson Mackowiak, Asher Mackowiak, Emerson Mackowiak, Camden Reed, Lake Reed, Nash Reed, Lumi Reed, Braylen Greene, and Memphis Greene.

Visitation and Memorial Service will take place Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Wilson Park funeral home, Edinburg. Burial will follow at Edinburg cemetery with Ron Spears and Pastor Steve Robinson officiating. A meal for all attending will be provided at Bethel Baptist church, Sharpsburg, IL.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bethel Baptist church, Sharpsburg, IL

Memories of Paul or condolences to the family may be left online at www.parkfuneralhomesinc.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edwin Paul Reed, please visit our floral store.