Edward L. Behringer

Edward Lawrence Behringer, 102 years young, passed peacefully away on August 9.

Ed was born May 20, 1920, to Edward C. and Mabel J. (Wey) Behringer in Canton, Ohio. He grew up with two younger sisters, Virginia and Winifred.

As an electrical engineering student at the University of Detroit, he met his future wife, Ruth--an economics student at nearby Marygrove College. Upon graduation, Ed joined the U.S. Navy, was sent to Harvard, MIT, and Colgate to study radar and sonar technologies, and served until the end of WWII. He and Ruth married in April 1945.

Ed’s belief in the value of commitment, communication, and compassion were hallmarks of his marriage of nearly 75 years, the raising of nine children, and his 44-year career with Ex-cello-Micromatic. Along with his bustling family, Ed was a longtime member of St. Valentine’s Catholic Church in Redford Township.

As an electrical engineer and then marketing manager, Ed’s position brought the couple and their youngest four children to Holland for just two years in the early ‘70s, after which they made their home in Farmington Hills. But Ed and Ruth returned to Waukazoo Woods in 1985 to begin their well-deserved retirement. They found a welcoming community—becoming active card players, bowlers, golfers, devoted members of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, valued volunteers at Holland Hospital, and, finally, much-loved residents of the Village at Appledorn retirement community.

Ed loved Ruth, their family, God, and the Blessed Mother. He liked the music of Herb Alpert, Limbuswrger cheese, Horehound candy, a good Manhattan, and—above all else—ice cream. He often claimed that the secret to longevity was oatmeal every morning and ice cream every night. Many happy times were spent bowling, golfing, fishing, and reading.

He is survived by daughters Barbara (Robert) Peterson, Carolyn (Robert) Witte, Anne Guss, MaryLou (Scott) Bagladi, and Catherine; and sons Lawrence (Linda), James (Sharon), Thomas (Cynthia), and Donald (Carrie). Ed dearly loved 16 grandchildren—spread from Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, to Tennessee, Oregon, California, and Finland—and 11 great-grandchildren. Ruth has been saving a place in Heaven for her dear Eddie since January 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents and sisters.

His body has been willed to the University of Michigan Medical School. Ed felt certain that, even after death, he could aid vital research and contribute to higher learning. No local viewing or funeral service is scheduled. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (Holland, MI), Hospice of Holland, or the World Wildlife Fund.