Edward "Skip" Lewis Tyler, 76, of Joplin, Missouri, (previously from Grand Rapids,Michigan – Dutton area) passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in Joplin, Missouri.  He was born October 22, 1943, in Scottville, Michigan. The son of Edward and Eunice (Vercek) Tyler.

Ed was raised in Ludington and graduated from Ludington High School in 1961.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in1962 and his service included tours overseas in Okinawa and Vietnam.  After being honorably discharged, in 1966, Ed attended Technical College of Engineering in Chicago and later returned to Ludington where he worked as a draftsman at Jackson Vibrators as well as working part time at Plumbs Supermarket.  After he and Sue were married, they moved to the Grand Rapids area where he worked as a design engineer, working for Steelcase in Grand Rapids for 30 years until retiring in 2004.

In his spare time, Ed enjoyed working on cars, especially his 1969 GTO. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling, with his wife, throughout the U.S. going to almost all 50 states, played softball and bowling.  He adored his children and grandchildren and considered them the highlight of his life on earth. He was especially proud when his grandson (Noah) enlisted in the USAF after graduating from MSU.

Ed was a proud believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and lived his life accordingly; was a member of South Kent Baptist Church and served on several Church Boards as a Trustee and Deacon. Ed was thrilled to have been able to take a Mission trip to Romania with his good friends, Pastor Tom Cavanaugh and Bob Englesman.

Ed was proud of his Native American Heritage and served the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians on the Election Board and the Gaming Commission.  He spoke often of his travels back and forth to Manistee with his good friend, Karen Love.  He also volunteered with the Honor Guard at the American Legion, Newaygo Post and served on the Kent County Traffic Squad.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Susan (Ruschkewicz) Tyler; his daughter, Erika (Jeffrey) Wymer of Muskegon; 2 sons, Jason (Carrie) Tyler of Carl Junction, Missouri, and Nathan (Renae') Tyler of Grand Rapids; 5 grandchildren, Noah Wymer, Bernadine Tyler, Sarah Tyler, Sophia Tyler and Madelyn Wymer; two  sisters, Pat (Jerry) Foster of Ludington, and Sharon (Tom) Reed of Ludington; 2 brothers, Gary (Kaye) Tyler of Ludington, and Kevin (Dori) Tyler of Painesville, Ohio; his brother-in-law. Jim (Suz) Ruschkewicz of Howard City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by; his parents; 3 brothers-in-law, Jerry Foster, Thomas Reed and Thomas Ruschkewicz (of Billings, Montana).  Also, a very special sister-in-law; Beverly (Ruschkewicz-Nice) Lawe.

Funeral services will be conducted outdoors at 1:00 PM, Monday, July 6, 2020, at Beacon Event Center, 301 N. Jebavy, Ludington, with Pastor Thomas Cavanaugh officiating.  Interment will be in the Pere Marquette Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Sunday from 4-7 PM, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, 309 S. Washington Avenue, Ludington, and on Monday at the Beacon Event Center from 11:00 AM until time of services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Homes for Our Troops, www.hfotusa.org.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com