Clarence Leroy Edwards

Clarence Leroy Edwards, age 81, of Belding, entered into eternity Thursday evening, March 12, at Select Specialty Hospital located on the Blodgett Hospital Campus in Grand Rapids following a battle with lung cancer. He was born at home in Hubbardston, Michigan on July 9, 1938, a son of Homer Leroy and Elizabeth (Fox) Edwards. Clarence completed his elementary and high school education at Sts. Peter and Paul Schools in Ionia. He worked at Lu Van Furniture for nearly 30 years and then went to work for CSX Railroad as a Track Technician retiring with more than thirty years of service with them. He was a long-time faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Belding and often said that his relationship with Christ was so close you couldn’t swipe a credit card between them. He was also a member of the Greenville Moose Lodge for many years and bowled earning many trophies over the years. He dearly loved his family and friends and will be remembered for his colorful character and stories he would tell and comments he would make when he got wound up.

Clarence’s family will cherish the memories of him including his children Mary Edwards and Wayne Edwards both of Belding; grandchildren David Keena, Sarah Crawford and Thomas Edwards all of Greenville and Kevin Wise of Saranac; great grandchildren Mikaela Roskamp, Jameson Wamser and Jasmine Wamser; and many nieces nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his long-time friend and companion, Mary Pluskhat, his wife and mother of his children, Frances Edwards; and siblings, Eddie, Jerry, Larry, “Cookie”, Jane, Margaret, Annie and a sibling who died in infancy.

Due to the state-wide gathering size limitations, a private family Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Belding. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Belding. Sympathy cards may be sent to the funeral home at 303 S. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan 48809 and they will be forwarded to the family. Memorials are welcomed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For additional information or to request a donation envelope, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, who is caring for the arrangements, at (616) 794-1300 or verdunfh.com.