Harold Edwards, Jr.

Harold Edwards Jr. (89) died Thursday March 1st, 2018 of natural causes while tending to his garden in Dunnellon, Florida.  He was born on April 29th, 1928 at his home in New City, Illinois to Harold and Edith Edwards. In 1949 he married Joyce Emily Rose Bizot and had remained married for 59 years until her death in 2008.  Together they raised three children, Gary Ray, Curt Kenneth and Joni Marie.  He is survived by his son Gary, daughter Joni DeSmet, his four grandchildren Milisa Mae Ganey-Tores, Jorell Lawren Hancock, Tate Christian DeSmet and Grayson Anthony DeSmet and his great grandson Shannon Ganey Stevenson. Harold served in the Army and Louisiana Army National Guard from 1946 to 1948 and the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1953. He worked at Fiat Allis for 35 years and retired in 1984 to pursue his career as a Florida crappie fisherman and gardener and Illinois catfisherman. Harold and his twin brother Darrell of Edinburg, Illinois fished for catfish all summer long in order to get a “big enough mess” to feed the entire Edwards clan plus friends and neighbors for the annual September fish-fry.  This tradition carried on for 23 years.  Harold was the gardener extraordinaire – his garden fed the entire neighborhood during the winter and spring in Florida since 1978.

Harold never knew a stranger and was loved by all who knew him.  He will be sorely missed by his remaining brothers – Darrell, Jim and Dale and his sisters – Betty, Rosemary and Becky and their respective spouses – Penny, Dotty, Alan and LaRoy.

Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Dunnellon, Fl. 34431 at 11:00 on Friday, March 9th, followed by interment at the Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Ocala.