Ed was born on June 17, 1932 to Albert Hlad Jr. and Mary Vejl Hlad in
their home at Bunker Hill, Kansas. Edward was their firstborn of four
children. He is survived by his wife, Millie (Mildred) Louise Hendrich
Hlad, brother, Ronald (Jane) Hlad of Sylvan Grove, Kansas, sisters,
Geraldine (John) Meyer of Chino Valley, Arizona, and Alene (Don)
Thompson of Omaha, Nebraska, children Janet (Jim) Bryan of Ankeny, Iowa,
Rosalie (Dan) Traver of Wichita, Kansas, Dale (Pam) Hlad of Sylvan
Grove, Kansas, eleven grandchildren, Melissa (Mitch) Glass of Troy,
Ohio, Stephanie (Nathan) Ong of Ankeny, Iowa, Amanda (Ryan) McCoy of
Augusta, Montana, Travis (Kara) Troyer of Wichita, Kansas, Jenny (Adam)
Simon of Clearwater, Kansas, Anna (Marcus) Geist of Edmond, Oklahoma,
Amy (Josh) Ranker of Ellsworth, Kansas, Laura (Jason) Dunwoody of
Guthrie, Oklahoma, Leah (Ryan) Wilson of Hamilton, Texas, Landon (Addy
Kate) Hlad of Edmond, Oklahoma, Lane Hlad of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and
21 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and
son, Dean Mark Hlad.
Ed was a farmer, working first with his father and brother, and
later with his sons. Ed lived most of his life in the original farmhouse
he grew up in outside of Sylvan Grove, Kansas. He put his trust in
Jesus Christ as his savior as a young boy of nine years old. He was
baptized at First Baptist Church in Wilson and was a member there all
his life. He graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1950 and joined
the United States Air Force in December of that year. He signed up for
the USAF in Kansas City with his cousin, and together they went to San
Antonio, Texas for Basic training. He began serving in Wichita Falls,
Texas, and in November of 1951 he took a week leave to go back to Kansas
to marry his High School sweetheart, Millie Hendrich. They began their
married life living in a 24-foot trailer just off the military base.
Three months into their marriage Ed was in a motorcycle accident that
put him into a body cast for eight months. The doctors ask him if he
wanted to live the rest of his life in a sitting position or a prone
position. God miraculously healed his body and gave him full mobility.
Ed was an aircraft engine instructor during his time in the Air Force.
Upon returning to Kansas, Ed bought a Luscombe single engine,
two-seater, airplane. He made his own pasture landing strip and took
pleasure in flying over the farmhouse with the doors off, shutting off
the engine so he could shout out to his wife Millie. Many family
members, visitors, missionaries, and church evangelists were treated to
an airplane ride on the farm, doors optional.
As a believer, his faith was evident both at home and in the
community. He began every morning reading scripture at breakfast with
his family. This was a special time with the Lord that he continued all
his life. He loved his church and faithfully served as a youth group
leader, Sunday school teacher, and as a deacon. He especially enjoyed
singing and he sang bass with a quartet group at church. One of his
favorite songs was “Victory in Jesus.”
Ed also really enjoyed vacations. Every year following harvest he
would load up the family in their station wagon, hook up their pop-up
trailer and head west. Over the years, and after the children were gone
they moved up to an RV. Ed and Millie enjoyed spending many of their
winters in Tucson, Arizona.
As Ed’s children got married and had children of their own they
began the tradition of everyone gathering at the farm during
Thanksgiving. At times there would be 40-45 meeting together over the
Thanksgiving weekend. Often Ed was seen with his camera or video camera
capturing a memory. Over the years he took thousands of slides not to
mention VHS tapes and eventually pictures and videos in the “cloud.” As a
family we all often enjoyed a night looking at old pictures.
Ed had a quick wit, a smile, and an enjoyable laugh that was
contagious. His love for his wife and family will be missed, but he
assured us he would meet us soon in Heaven with his Savior. As a pilot,
on January 11th Ed took his final glorious flight up to heaven.
Farewell N1313K until we meet again.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the
First Baptist Church in Wilson starting at 10 AM with burial to follow
at Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, from 4 PM until 8
PM with family greeting friends from 6P to 8 PM.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and the First
Baptist Bible College and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease
Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490.