Edward Dee

DEE - Edward Mansfield Dee aged 92 passed away peacefully at Porter Hills on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Ed was born on August 30, 1925 in Chicago, IL to Wilma and Samuel Dee. Ed graduated from Flint Central High School in 1943 and then enlisted in the Navy Air Corp. He served as a pilot in the Pacific theatre during WWII. After being honorably discharged, Ed worked as a commercial pilot and later headed up operations for Bishop Airport in Flint, MI. Ed spent the majority of his successful career in aerospace sales and marketing. Ed and Carolyn enjoyed building their cottage on Lake Michigan and spending many summers at the "Dune Haus" with family and friends. Ed was proud that he was a founding member of Meijer Gardens. He loved playing golf, enjoyed the symphony and theatre, and was a football and basketball fan. Ed will always be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit and his love of life and family. He was a life-long member of the Masons. Most impressive of all the things we can say about Ed is that he has been a faithful servant of the Lord. He was an elder at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir there for 45 years. He and Carolyn met at the church and were married there. He loved being involved in Pilgrimage, a spiritual retreat that brought people to the Lord, and he created a lot of laughter for folks when he played the part of I.B. Pious, an itinerant preacher. As his wife, I will love him and miss him forever until the day I join him in God's Kingdom. Ed was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Dee; children, Edward Dee Jr., Deborah Dee, Stephanie Arsulowicz. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carolyn Dee; children, Nancy (Tom) Pykosz, David (Lynne) Dee, Tom (Liz) Spees, Sally Zimmer, Scott (Jane) Spees, David (Cristy) Spees; grandchildren, Patti (Brad) Rudner, Tom (Erica) Pykosz Jr., Amy Perry, John (Dana) Arsulowicz, Chad Arsulowicz, Brittany (Jim) Watkins, Lauren (Paul) Newkirk, Jenny (Adam) Eggerding, David Dee, Holly Zimmer, Shekinah Zimmer, Trevor Spees, Michael Spees, Alicia Spees, Gabriel Spees; 15 great grandchildren. Funeral services will take place 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 20 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1700 Woodward Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. His family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1700 Woodward SE, Grand Rapids. To share a photo, memory and sign the family's online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edward Mansfield Dee please visit our Sympathy Store.