Edward Straub

Edward James Straub, 49, of Wayland MI, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 12, 2023, from natural causes. Ed was born to Eugene Robert "Bob" and Deborah (Oglesbee) Straub on May 2, 1974, in Plainwell, MI. He is survived by his son, Ryver, as well as Ryver's siblings, Kendalyn, Adryanna, Kyson and Nehemiah, who Ed loved as his own; his mother, Deborah; sisters, Stacey and Bobbie Rae; grandma, Rose Ogelsbee; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Ed was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Robert Straub Jr; paternal grandparents, Eugene and Thelma Straub; and maternal grandfather, Fisher Ogelsbee. Ed was just two years old when the young family pulled up stakes and moved to Anchorage, Alaska where his love for the outdoors was first kindled. He became a skilled hockey player and took up skiing as Alaska's many snow-capped mountains beckoned. It was on Alaska's Kenai River that Ed first discovered his life-long love of fishing. When Ed was in 8th grade, the family returned to Michigan, where he graduated from Wayland Union High School with the Class of '92. After graduation he attended Ferris State University and later Western Michigan University. An avid outdoorsman and confirmed adrenaline seeker, Ed enjoyed several seasons working as a ski instructor at Winter Park Resort in Colorado where he taught both ski and snowboarding classes to intermediate and advanced students. Returning to Michigan, Ed fulfilled a life goal of working alongside his father at Dejager Construction and, later, Straub Construction. Ed was also the proud owner/operator of Skydive Allegan. Over the years, he logged thousands of solo and tandem jumps. In the winter seasons Ed could often be found on the opposite end of the world in Fiji, where he aided in skydive operations catering to Fiji's many tourists. Ed will be remembered for his kind heart, capacity to love, and witty sense of humor. He looked forward to each new day and experience as an adventure. To Ed there were no strangers - only new friends yet to meet. And he never let the day end without reminding those he loved - his family, his many friends, and above all his son, Ryver, the proudest accomplishment of his life, just how much they meant to him. We hope he knows how much he meant to us. "Those who don't jump will never fly." Blue skies, Ed. In lieu of flowers, contributions are being accepted for Ryver's College Fund that Ed established in his son's name. A celebration of life will be held at Thursday May 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Vann's Valley Event Center, 1069 126th Shelbyville MI 49344. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward Straub, please visit our flower store.