Edward P. Pilot

Edward P. Pilot, 82, of Iron Mountain, passed away after a brief but courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, January 1, 2015 with his family beside him at Maryhill Manor Nursing Home in Niagara, WI. Ed was born October 24, 1932 in Kingsford, son of the late Paul and Rose (Boldin) Pilot. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1950 and went to Milwaukee, WI where he worked for Globe Steel for 2 1/2 years. Ed then moved back to Iron Mountain and married Beverly Koller on June 20, 1953 at First Lutheran Church. He worked several jobs throughout his career including a few years at the Ford Aluminum Plant, 8.5 years with the Iron Mountain Water Dept., 8.5 years at the Groveland Mine, he owned and operated Pilot's Shell gas station in Iron Mountain for 6 years, spent 4 years at Gulf Explosives, went back to the mine until it closed and spent the last 15 years of his career with the DIISD at the Vocational Education Center. Ed retired in 1995 and enjoyed working part time at Hometowne Lumber for several years. He was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain and a past member of the Elks Club. Ed was a talented musician and played the accordion, bass fiddle, piano and organ. He loved to play music and sing with his siblings at family gatherings. Ed was also a skilled carpenter who built his house and camp and he could fix just about anything. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at camp with his family. Ed was a Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed playing bocce ball and watching his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who always put his family and friends before himself. He was always willing to help anyone in need and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bev; three children, Debbie (Mike) Oberdorfer of Kingsford, Jeff (Linda) Pilot of Peavy Falls and Brian (Carol) Pilot of Iron Mountain; grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Meekhof, Justin (Natalie) Oberdorfer, Alyssa Pilot, Josh Pilot, Paul (Ali) Wedin and Nick Pilot; great grandchildren, Mike and Brooke Meekhof and Anna and Claire Oberdorfer; brothers, Rudy (Claire) Pilot and Jim (Marilyn) Pilot; a sister, Bev Henry; and several nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Bill Henry and Phil "Junior" Koller and a special aunt and uncle, Mary and Fred Pellerin. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 5th, from 3:00 to 5:00pm at the First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 5:00 pm at the church. Pastor James Lindgren and Pastor Kevin Sullivan will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Ed Pilot online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Edward P. Pilot

October 24, 1932 - January 1, 2015