Edward “Ed” K. Schulthes, 63 of rural London Mills, passed away at 1:53 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Ed was born September 27, 1959 at Fort Hood, Texas, the son of Edward K. and Zita (Blaser) Schulthes. He married Lisa Janoushek on April 11, 1980 Mountain Home, Idaho and they later divorced. He then married Sallie J. (Bates) Gabriel on April 20, 2013 in London Mills.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sallie, his mother, Zita Kimbrell of London Mills; one son, Edward “Buddy” (Robin) Schulthes II of Lakeland, Florida; three daughters, Cindy (Schulthes) (and Dina) Eldridge of Waverly, Illinois, Kaileen (Schulthes) Thompson of Galesburg and Krista (Schulthes) (and James) Richardson of Smithfield; two stepsons, Jason (and Karyn) Gabriel of Galesburg and Justin (and Brandy) Gabriel of Augusta, Georgia; seventeen grandchildren, Eli, Emersyn, Peyton, Lily, Destiny, Kameron, Serenity, Leah, Tyler, Kelcie, Jacob (Kirk), Erika, Robert, Cayden, Taralynn, Ryan and Landon and two great-grandchildren, Bentley and Layla ; one brother, Scott (Jane) Schulthes of London Mills; and one sister, Cindy Schulthes of Ellisville.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edward K. Schulthes and his stepfather, Eddie F. Kimbrell.
Ed graduated from Spoon River Valley High School. He was an U.S. Air Force veteran. He worked at the Caterpillar Mossville Plant, Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg and Heat & Control in Galesburg. He was of the Methodist faith. He was a member of the Roy Miller American Legion Post #644 in Fairview. He was Mason and was initiated into the former London Mills Masonic Lodge, later transferring to the Avon Harmony Masonic Lodge and then the Abingdon Masonic Lodge #185, for a total of 38 years. He was a member of A.B.A.T.E.
When you think of Edward Schulthes, what comes to mind? Two words. Harley Davidson. To say that he loved riding his Harley Davidson is an understatement. He loved taking rides to wherever with his wife right behind him. The Harley shirt, the bandana, the sunglasses and his wheelchair in tow, nothing could stop him when it came to his Harley Davidson.
His family wrote, “He was a devoted husband, father and son. When it came to his children and step-children, the love was evident when he spoke of them. He loved being a grandpa and it suited him well. However, of all the things he loved, including his Harley, nothing came before his wife, Sallie. His wife. His best friend. His favorite girl!”
“I hope all his family and friends remember Edward for the great man he was. From the long hair and beard that he refused to cut, to one of the biggest hearts anyone has carried. He will forever be missed, and never forgotten.”
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, December 3, 2022. at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel followed by a eulogy given by Bob Burgess and military rites. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation.
Memorials may be made to the family for memorial organizations to be designated later. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
