Edward Roberts

On Sunday, October 21st 2012, Edward J. Roberts "Johnny", died at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, in the Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by his loving family. He was 72 years old.

Edward J. Roberts "Johnny" was born November 8th 1939, the son of the late Clayton and Edith (McDonald) Roberts, in Fraser, MN. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1961. On October 13th 1962, after a courtship that began by writing letters while he was in the military, Edward was united in marriage to Janet Schumacher, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in Fenwood. Together, Ed and Janet shared over 50 years when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 13th with their family and left a legacy that you have to work on your marriage, during the good and the bad, for it to be successful.

He taught his children good values through example and was a dedicated, hard worker, who provided for his family. Ed began a 27 year career, with the Wisconsin State Patrol, when he took a job as an inspector in Hudson, WI. In 1969, he transferred to District 4 in Wausau, WI. In 1972, he and Janet started Ed's Cleaning Service, which he passed along to his son in 2009.

Even though he often worked two jobs, Ed found time to relax with his family almost every weekend and would take memorable trips up north to Minocqua. They would camp, fish, and eventually build a cottage where many good times were had. Family and friends were an important part of his life.

Ed's memory will live on in the hearts of his wife, Janet, Wausau; four children, Thomas Roberts, Wausau, Todd (Shanna) Roberts, Minocqua, Terry (Christine) Roberts, Cibolo, TX, and Tracy (Michael) Geiger, Rib Mountain; five grandchildren, Samantha and Andrew (Jessica Rogers) Roberts, Natalie and Rebecca Geiger, and Ashlyn Roberts; one great-granddaughter, Kylie Roberts; sisters, Patsy Mielke, Hibbing, MN, and Dodie (Gerald) Yanko, Blaine, MN; brother, Gerald "Joe" (Pat) Roberts, Salem, OR; sisters-in-law, Patty Roberts, Burnsville, MN, Diane Zuelke, Wausau, and Linda Habeck, Corvallis, MT; brothers-in-law, Lorin "Curley" (Sharon) Schumacker, Edgar, and Glenn Rusch, Wausau, and many nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, James Roberts, Leroy "Buddy" Roberts; brothers-in-law, Art Mielke, Rod Zuelke, Gary Habeck, and Gerald Schumacher; sisters-in-law, Doreen Roberts and Carolee Rusch; nephew, Brian Yanko; niece, Jodene Zuelke

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 25th, at Trinity Lutheran Church on Stewart, Wausau. Reverend Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park – Veteran's Section. Family will receive guests Wednesday, October 24th, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau; and again Thursday, at the church, beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Ed's name.

We want to thank all of the staff at Wausau Aspirus Hospital and Wausau Manor for their continued care of our husband and father. We also like to say a special thank you to the Aspirus Hospice Unit for ensuring that he was comfortable during his last few days with us. A very special thank you his doctors in the Pulmonary and Cardiac Units.