Edward J. Lynch, 77, of Whitehall, died peacefully at home on March 1, 2017, after a long battle with emphysema.  He was born September 2, 1939, in South Portland, Maine to John and Monica (Tardiff) Lynch.  He married Irmgard Winkler on March 22, 1974 in Annweiler, Germany.

After his father's death in 1946, Edward moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with his mother and brother, Phil.  A move to Muskegon was made in 1956 where he graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1957.  After attending Western Michigan University for a year and a half, he joined the United States Army in 1959 and made a 20 year career of it, spending 12 years in Germany and 2 in Vietnam.  His military decorations included 3 Bronze Stars and the Meritorious Service Medal.  He returned to Muskegon in 1979.  He began a second career in 1980 with Cannon-Muskegon Corporation which lasted 23 years and included positions as lab technician, lab assistant, and a brief stint as laboratory supervisor.  He retired from Cannon-Muskegon in 2004.  He had moved to Whitehall in 1997 and enjoyed the remainder of his life there as he considered it the nicest community he had ever lived in.

Edward is survived by: his beloved wife, Irmgard; his sons, Kim of Muskegon and Kai of Whitehall; grandchildren, Drew and Sage of Whitehall; brother, Philip (Arlene) of Rapid City, South Dakota; brother-in-law, Dieter (Susanne) Winkler of Germany; nephews, Edward (Patti) of South Dakota, Dennis (Marilyn) and Kyle (Brenda) of Colorado, Christian and Patrick of Germany, and niece, Kathrin of Germany.  Relatives from Germany have all visited in Whitehall and/or Muskegon at one time or another.

Edward was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife's parents, Karl and Hilde Winkler; and a son, Philip.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, in Whitehall.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com