Edward James Straub, 49, of Wayland died in his sleep Friday, May 12, from natural causes.
Ed was born to Eugene Robert “Bob” and Deborah (Oglesbee) Straub on May 2, 1974, in Plainwell.
Ed was just 2 years old when the young family pulled up stakes and moved to Anchorage, Alaska where his love for the outdoors was first kindled. He became a skilled hockey player and took up skiing as Alaska’s many snow-capped mountains beckoned. It was on Alaska’s Kenai River that Ed first discovered his life-long love of fishing.
When Ed was in eighth grade, the family returned to Michigan, where he graduated from Wayland Union High School with the Class of ‘92. After graduation he attended Ferris State University and later Western Michigan University.
An avid outdoorsman and confirmed adrenaline seeker, Ed enjoyed several seasons working as a ski instructor at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, where he taught both ski and snowboarding classes to intermediate and advanced students.Returning to Michigan, Ed fulfilled a life goal of working alongside his father at Dejager Construction and, later, Straub Construction.
Ed was also the proud owner/operator of Skydive Allegan. Over the years, he logged thousands of solo and tandem jumps. In the winter seasons Ed could often be found on the opposite end of the world in Fiji, where he aided in skydive operations catering to Fiji’s many tourists.
Ed will be remembered for his kind heart, capacity to love, and witty sense of humor.
He is survived by his son, Ryver, as well as Ryver’s siblings, Kendalyn, Adryanna, Kyson and Nehemiah, who Ed loved as his own; his mother, Deborah; sisters, Stacey and Bobbie Rae; grandma, Rose Ogelsbee; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends
Ed was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Robert Straub Jr; paternal grandparents, Eugene and Thelma Straub; and maternal grandfather, Fisher Ogelsbee.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday May 18, at Vann’s Valley Event Center, 1069 126th Shelbyville MI 49344.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are being accepted for Ryver’s College Fund that Ed established in his son’s name.