Edward J Walsh

Edward J. Walsh, 90, retired Ottawa Funeral Director, died Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley. Visitation will be 4 - 8 PM Friday at the Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 4:00 PM with the Knights of Columbus in attendance. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday at St. Columba Church. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery with military honors. Ed was born May 21, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Edward and Della (Garrity) Walsh. He attended St. Ita's and St. Gregory parochial schools in Chicago. He graduated from Loyola Academy in Chicago and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, attended Loyola University, De Paul University. In 1940 he became a licensed Funeral Director. He enlisted in the in the United States Navy December 8, 1941 the day after Pearl Harbor. He was a pharmacist's mate in the Naval Medical Corps. He served in the South Pacific attached to the 3rd Marine Division, 71st Construction Battallion, and Floating Dry Dock ABSD5 with the Medical Corp. He rose to the rank of Chief Pharmacist Mate prior to discharge in 1945. He married Geraldine Breit, December 23, 1942 at St. Nicholas Church in Evanston, Illinois. In 1950 Ed became Co-owner of the Walsh and Wood Funeral Home in Miami Beach, Florida. From 1952 - 1972 he was the Vice President of North Counties Hydro-Electric Company in Dayton, Illinois. He purchased the Bailey Funeral Home,in Ottawa, in 1957 which subsequently became the Bailey-Walsh Funeral Home and then built the Ottawa Funeral Home in 1965, retaining the name of Bailey-Walsh Funeral Directors. Mr. Walsh was the first person in LaSalle County to become an Emergency Medical Technician qualifying through the American Physicians and Surgeons Association of Chicago. Mr. Walsh is a member of St. Columba Church in Ottawa, The Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the American Legion, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ottawa Elks Club, Knights of Columbus and the 4th degree, Kiwanis's Club, A charter member and former President of the Ambassadors Club of The Chamber of Commerce in Ottawa, Past member St Joseph's Church and El Conquistador Country Club in Bradenton, FL. Ed is survived by his wife, Geraldine Breit "Gerre"; two daughters, Karen (Nelson) Nussbaum of Ottawa, Melinda (James) Bobco of St. Clair Shores, MI.; two sons, Frederic Breit "Rick" Walsh of Palmetto, FL., Brian Keeley Walsh of Bradenton, FL.; three grandchildren, JB (Katie) Nussbaum of Chicago, McKinley Nussbaum of Chicago, James Robert Bobco Jr. of St. Clair Shores, MI.; one great-grandson, Gavin Todd Nussbaum of Chicago. He is preceded by his parents; one son, Edward Joseph "Skipper" Walsh Jr.; three sisters, Virginia Cawley, and Sister Mary Bethany OP Sinsinawa Dominican, and Dorothy Teister Pallbearers will be Rick & Brian Walsh, Nelson & JB Nussbaum, James & James Jr. Bobco Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Church building fund.

click for directions