Mathew Eder

Writing my dad's obituary was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life . I said I wasn't going to do it but it had to get done and with my loving family and their input the words flowed and I couldn't stop. My dad was a person of unbelievable strength. He endured trials growing up that no child should have to go through, but he gathered his strength from a power much higher than anything found here. His strength was in the name of the Lord! He was almost possessed by the need to convince others and he pored through his bible daily.

It really was a joking matter that mom and dad were never home and we are so thankful that they were able to go and do so much because they both truly love people more than they love them-

selves. Ironically, whenever I did really need them, they would usually both answer the phone. And I mean both! Anyone that knows my dad knows that music was so important to him. If you phoned his house it was not uncommon to hear him in the background at the piano or at his keyboard. Dad, it's 5 a.m. and I couldn't sleep and walked past the "dressing" room door and I could hear the radio playing in the background because Edwin had forgot to turn it off. I won't get after him for that! He loved to play and he loved to sing and my mom was his biggest fan. She adored him and we'd tease her about it. Dad couldn't read a note and that bothered him, so he would study notes trying his best. I'm the opposite - I can't play without a note in front of me and he'd say "Kath"(I was never Kathy to him), is that the key of C- Dad, right now you can sing and it won't matter what key it is because you are in God's heavenly choir.

Dad would be amazed at the number of people who have called, stopped by, brought food and given encouragement. It means so very much to us and if we don't let you know later, I'm telling you on behalf of all of us the strength and peace we are all personally drawing from your words and prayers.

Mathew Clifford Eder, age 76, of Wayland, MO, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at Keokuk Area Hospital.

He was born May 14, 1930 at Keokuk, IA, the son of Mathew M. and Alice Steele Eder.

On April 17, 1949, he married Lola F. McNally, at her parent's home south of Wayland. They were two weeks short of celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary, having renewed their vows on their 40th, celebrating with family and friends on their 50th, and having dedicated their lives to serving the Lord as they modeled true love and devotion in the true biblical sense.

Survivors include his wife, Lola, of Wayland; a son, Mathew R. Eder and his wife, Julie, of Anderson, SC; three daughters, Judy Mohr and her husband, Larry, Kathy Wilson and her husband, Edwin, and, Lynn Summers and her husband, Steve, all of Kahoka; nine grandchildren: Brett Sharify and his wife, Renee, of Charlotte, NC, Ty Sharify, of Kahoka,MO, Jennifer Frazee and her husband, Adam, of Wayland, MO, Janet Hardin and her husband, Adam, of Kahoka, MO, David Wilson and his wife, Tessa, of Manhattan, KS; Stephanie and Collin Summers of Kahoka, MO, and Jake and Carson Eder of Anderson, SC; three great grandchildren, Nathan and Emily Frazee of Wayland, MO and Isaiah Hardin of Kahoka, MO; one brother, Francis Eder of Moline, IL; a sister, Pat Barnett of Broken Arrow, OK; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Aileen Jinkens of Keokuk, IA, Irene Fleming of Nevada, MO, Betty Eder of Kahoka, MO and Dick Smith of Pontiac, MO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ronald Eder; and a sister, Jean Jones.

"Bud" was a 1948 graduate of Wayland High School. He provided for his family through his employment of 38 years with General Mills, also painting houses and doing various other odd jobs through the years. He retired after suffering heart attacks in 1974 and 1984. He started a coffee club of retired General Mills employees and loved to visit with friends at their once a month get togethers. He and his wife then owned and operated the Dairi Kone located on Hiway 61 south of Wayland and enjoyed visiting with their regular customers and the acquaintances they made as they passed through. They enjoyed family camping trips as their children were growing up and later taking their grandchildren on travels. They had celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii and this past year traveled to Germany with dear friends, Art and Marilyn Barry.

"Bud" lived his faith and taught his family to love God and love people and to treat your neighbors as yourself. His children joked that they were always getting calls from people trying to find their parents because they were usually out doing something for someone and were never home. If there was a need, they did as a couple what they could to provide and would drop what they were doing to help. He and Lola spent "retirement" visiting people in the nursing home, hospitals, and serving his church, Wayland United Methodist. It was his desire that everyone on this earth be saved, for he believed that the time of Jesus' coming is near. He was a member of St. Francisville Lodge # 588, A.F. & A.M. and was a Shriner. He and Keith Cannon and wives spent nearly every Friday night at Menards buying materials for the lodge hall in Wayland and spent many hours remodeling and adding on. He was the president of the Clark Co. Food Pantry, a Friend of the Clark Co. Senior Center, a member of the Silver-Haired Legislature and current mentor of his grandson, Collin, for his confirmation class. He was a well-known singer, singing at numerous events in the tri-states through the years, including hundreds of weddings and funerals and was considered the "Bert Parks" of the Old Settlers Queen and Princess contest. He was a former member of the Barber Shop Chorus in Quincy and was in the quartet, Two by Fours. In earlier years he had performed in Kardiac Kapers and was a recipient of the 7-Who Cares award. In 2003, he was the parade marshal of the Old Settlers celebration. He enjoyed attending as many of his grandchildren's events as possible, even in South Carolina, and was especially proud of the Clark Co. Marching Indians. He and Lola had accompanied the band to New York City and to the Rose Bowl Parade.

As hard as it is to say goodbye, we know he is standing side by side in heaven with many people whose lives he has touched and Jesus is saying "well done my good and faithful servant."

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at the Wayland United Methodist Church with Rev. Deborah Schmidt officiating. Burial followed in Frazee Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers were suggested to the Wayland United Methodist Church, the Clark Co. Food Pantry, Friends of the Senior Center or Clark Co. R-1 High School Music Department.