Charles Edward Lilley, age 95, of Longford, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor.
Edward was born on January 17, 1924, to Jesse Peter and Mable Hazel (Malcolm) Lilley. On a Sunday afternoon January 28, 1945, Edward married Bessie Irene Benfer in the Benfer home east of Longford, to this union they had two sons, Eugene and Dennis.
Edward grew up on a farm southeast of Longford and farmed full time in the Longford area. He worked for Francis Haas delivering Longford water and later bought the Longford Water Service, which he drove a 1967 Chevy delivering water to many rural customers. He was also a part of building the Longford Church.
Edward attended Longford Grade School and graduated from Longford High School in 1942. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II, he worked roads for the Athelstane Township and served on the Walker Grade School board. Edward was a member of the Longford American Legion and a member of the Longford Bethel United Methodist Church.
Edward enjoyed farming, also his hobbies were woodworking, helping his wife Bessie in the garden and fishing.
He is survived by his wife Bessie; son Eugene and wife Virginia, Longford; 7 grandchildren, Debra and husband Brian Moon, Clay Center, Paula and husband Gerald Sheridan, Hutchinson, Steven and wife Pam Lilley, Clay Center and Daniel, Timothy, David and James Lilley, South Carolina; 6 great grandchildren, Cody and Dylan Moon, Clay Center, Trent Sheridan, Hutchinson, Stephanie Lilley, Clay Center, Natalie Lilley, South Carolina, Adam Lilley, South Carolina; 3 step great grandchildren, Nicholas Sheridan, Hutchinson, Mindy Sheridan, Hutchinson, Courtney (Phillip) Snyder of Pratt; 1 step great-great-granddaughter, Maya Sheridan, Hutchinson; 1 brother, Kenneth and wife Dorothy, Silver Lake and many nieces and nephews.
Edward is preceded in death by his parents, a son Dennis, sister Lorene Neaderhiser and her husband Raymond.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 20, at 10:30AM at the Longford United Methodist Church. Burial at Athlestane Cemetery with full military honors.
Respect calls will be Tuesday, November 19, from 3-8PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home with family greeting friends from 3-6PM.
A memorial has been established for Edward Lilley Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date by the family c/o the funeral home.