Edward "Ed" W. Handel

Edward "Ed" W. Handel, age 83, of Savanna, Illinois, died Friday, October 19, 2007, at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Savanna. Military rites will be accorded by the Savanna Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post #2223. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2007 at the funeral home. Memorials may given to the Savanna VFW or Disabled Veterans in Ed's memory.
Ed was born on February 4, 1924, the son of William R. and Bertha B. (Schueler) Handel at their home in rural Savanna. He attended Savanna Township High School and graduated with the Class of 1942. Ed married Violet M. Cramer on March 10, 1944 in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Ed joined the United States Army Air Corp in August of 1943. Ed became a Prisoner of War when his plane was shot down over Berlin, Germany on August 6, 1944. Ed was discharged from the United States Army Air Corp in November of 1945.
Ed farmed with his wife in rural Savanna for over sixty years. He was also employed by the Burlington Railroad for thirty-eight years. Ed was a member of the Savanna VFW, American Legion and Moose. He was a longtime member of the Savanna Community Church. Ed enjoyed woodworking, especially carving walking sticks and building birdhouses. Ed also liked to travel and play cards. Most of all, Ed loved spending time with his family.
Ed is survived by his wife, Violet; two sons, Eddie (Liz) Handel of Brownsville, Minnesota and Bill (Deb) Handel of Champaign, Illinois; three daughters, Vicki (Bob) Stretton of Savanna, Illinois, Laurie (Glenn) Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Kathy (Brad) Williams of Lansing, Iowa; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen (Paul) Rath of Savanna, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George Handel.