Edwin Lee Prigel

Edwin Lee Prigel Sr., 86, beloved father, brother, husband, and grandfather, died Dec. 12, 2012, at Christian Health Care, Nevada, Mo. "Old Ed," as many colleagues and neighbors knew him, led a life full of adventure and hard work.

Edwin was born on Nov. 22, 1926, in Knobtown, Mo., to Gus and Mollie Prigel. In 1942, he became a Christian, and he graduated from Holden High School two years later in 1944. Edwin proudly joined the U.S. Army during World War II where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands off the Alaskan coast.

Ed married his beautiful bride, Betty Lou Clinger, of Holden, Mo., on July 23, 1947. The two lived on a farm in rural Johnson County where they happily resided for 65 years. They raised four children there, Ed Jr., Becky, David, and Jean, and all went on to earn college degrees -- a fact that Ed was quite proud of. Edwin was a dairy farmer, a church leader, and a community leader.

He served on the Holden School Board for 16 years, five of which he was president. For 20 years he worked tirelessly as the chairman of the Johnson County Soil District. He was instrumental in securing legislation that allowed watersheds in Missouri. He served three years as president of the Missouri State Association of Soil Districts, 15 years as Legislative Chairman, and served on the Soil and Water Conservation Committee as advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Ed was particularly proud of his part in establishing the Johnson County Water District No. 2. The district grew from 900 meters to its present day of 4,300 meters.

Edwin was active in his church as an ordained deacon and loved to share the joy of the Lord with others. He and Betty taught fifth and sixth grade Sunday school for 50 years. He spent six years as moderator of the Johnson County Baptist Association. Ed even helped to build four churches over his lifetime. He was visionary in planning and an expert with a hammer!

Ed was a terrific grower of corn, and he loved to share it with anyone who stopped by. In 1952, he won third place in the Kansas City, Mo., corn contest with 109 bushels per acre. He was also a carpenter, a carver, and a gardener. He built small lighthouses and carved pictures, figures, and magnets.

Perhaps Ed's proudest accomplishment is his family. He dearly loved them and enjoyed seeing them grow as they served their families, the country, and the Lord. Ed was always ready with a word of encouragement or the perfect story to tell. Grandpa Ed planned many adventures with his kids and grandkids. He was always thrilled to spend time with them on the Sea-doo, in the camper, or just sharing a meal. Ed adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would tell stories about them to anyone who would listen. He is loved by many and will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Prigel, Nevada; two sons, Edwin Prigel Jr. and his wife, Linda, Osawatomie, Kan., and David Prigel and his wife, Becky, Republic, Mo.; two daughters, Becky Butterfield and her husband, Kenneth, Nevada, and Jean Dowell and her husband, Ralph, Atchison, Kan.; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Jane Driggers and her husband, Dave, Pensacola, Fla., and Jean Replogle and her husband, Dale, Higginsville, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 17, at the Lone Jack Baptist Church, Lone Jack, Mo., with the Rev. Jerry Tharp officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., prior to the service at the church. Friends may call now and until 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment with military honors will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18, at National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan.

Contributions may be made to the Lone Jack Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 48, Lone Jack, Mo.

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