Ed Bigler

Edward D. Bigler, 93, died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Ed was born Sept. 8, 1930, near Lacrosse, to Edward and Ruth (Dutton) Bigler. He had three sisters, Rosemary Krueger, Margaret (Peggy) Simmons and Elizabeth (Bitsy) Darda. Both Rosie and Peggy preceded Ed in death.

After growing up on a farm in LaPorte County, Ed graduated from Portage High School in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He attended both Purdue and Indiana universities after his military service.

In Chicago, Ed married Gail Lawler on April 27, 1957. She preceded him to heaven in March of 1983. Ed began his career with TransAmerica Finance in Gary and transferred to Fort Wayne, where he was the branch manager until 1964. That year he and Gail purchased the first of what would be multiple neighborhood bars and restaurants in and around the Fort Wayne area, owning many establishments while also pursuing other endeavors. He went back into the finance field in 1968, serving as the district sales manager for Economy Finance. He was then the northern Indiana business development manager for Manpower Inc. until 1972. From 1972 through 1979, Ed was the co-founder and president of Excel Temporary Placement services in Fort Wayne.

During his time in the business world, Ed was active in Kiwanis Club, Fort Wayne Lenders Exchange, the Heart Fund and was Sixth District director for the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association. He was nominated and listed in “Who’s Who in Indiana” in 1974. He came to the Rochester area, having purchased the defunct Leiters Ford Tavern with his sons, Tim and Guy. After extensive refurbishing and remodeling, the business reopened in 1983 and the “LFT,” as it was known, was later listed in the Indianapolis Star as “One of the Best Places to Meet and Eat” in towns of fewer than 5,000 people. Ready to retire once again, Ed and the boys sold the tavern at the end of 1987. During his time at Leiters Ford, he became acquainted with Patti Eudy, and they were companions for over 20 years until her passing in January of 2014. During his time with us, Ed was known as a teller of tales and was always ready to share an interesting story about the many experiences and adventures he had during his long and interesting life.

Ed leaves behind many loved ones, including sons, Tim (Deb), Cypress, Texas, and Guy (Merlee), Rochester; grandchildren, Chase Chappell, Olpe, Kan., Michelle (Craig) Brouyette, Rochester, and Ryan Fall, Fort Wayne; great-grandchildren, Lori Chappell, Olpe, Kan., Dylan Aven and Macy Fall, Fort Wayne, and Evan, Madalyn, Avery and Molly Brouyette, all of Rochester. He was preceded to heaven by his grandson, Clay Chappell, Cypress, Texas.

A celebration of the life of Edward D. Bigler will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honors Team. Following the service, the celebration will continue from 2:30-5 p.m. at Lake Manitou Moose Lodge No. 1107, 1911 West Side Road, Rochester.

Memorials may be made to Mooseheart International, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.