Edwin L. Reese

Edwin Reese, longtime resident of Toledo, passed away on October 2, 2024 at Flower Hospital. Ed was born in Lima, Ohio to Audrey and Arthur Reese. He moved to Toledo in his teens and attended Waite High School, graduating in 1952. 

Ed joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 where he attended schools for both munitions and nuclear weapons. He served in that capacity with the 4th TDS and 1st TDS at Lowry Air Force Base and RAF Alconbury station in Alconbury, England until 1957. One of Ed’s proudest moments was his ability to take part in the Flag City Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on November 7, 2023.

Ed enjoyed his career as an automotive parts and equipment representative throughout the state of Ohio. A natural storyteller, he got much fulfillment from the relationships he created with his customers. He retired from Ft. Meigs Auto Electric in 2014. 

Ed was a member of Toledo Tip Toppers tall club in the 1960s. While the club no longer is a formal organization, he enjoyed monthly gatherings with the remaining members in recent years. He was also a member of American Legion and Nuclear Weapons Technicians Association (NWTA). 

Ed was a longtime active member of the former Covenant Presbyterian Church and Christ Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir and was ordained as a Deacon and Elder.

Ed enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida, NWTA conventions across the U.S, and to the Chicago area to attend his granddaughter’s events and performances. He was an avid sports fan and cheered passionately for the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Cleveland Guardians. Ed was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. 

Ed is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Tom Lykins; granddaughter Harper; sister-in-law Charlene; nephews Roger (Marcia), Garry (Cindy) and Michael; step-sister Cheryl Poland; along with many grand-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Audrey and Lawrence Poland, and brother Roger Sr.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Anne’s Hospital, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Kingston-Sylvania, and Flower Hospital for their care. A very special thank you goes to his dear neighbor Pat, whose generous caretaking enabled Ed to live independently for the past several years.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the visitation on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 9:00am until 12:00pm at Christ Presbyterian Church, 4225 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH, where Military Honors will be held at 11:45 am and a Memorial Service will begin at 12:00pm. The family asks to please consider donating to Christ Presbyterian Church, 4225 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623 or Flag City Honor Flight, P.O. Box 885 Findlay, OH 45839 in Ed's memory.

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