John Edwards

John L. Edwards, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died on Friday, August 11, 2017, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. Memorial Services: 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Michael Erickson. The family will greet friends following the service at the church. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Carol; children, Michael (Sally) Edwards of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Michelle (Christopher) Mussman of St. Cloud, Minnesota; grandchildren, Michael John Edwards, Jr., Jacob Christopher Mussman, and Jackson Walter Mussman; brothers, James (Toni) Edwards of Payallup, Washington, and David (Kim) Edwards of Sublimity, Oregon; brother-in-law, Donald (Mae) Wilhelmi of Atkins, Iowa; aunts, Ruth Bruch and Emma Edwards; and several nieces, nephews, special cousins. John was born on October 3, 1936, in Black Hawk County, the son of Leonard and Vivian (Coburn) Edwards. He grew up in Vinton and graduated from the Vinton High School in 1954. He earned his B.A from Colorado College, where he lettered in football and basketball. John continued his education with a M.A. from the Oregon College of Education followed by a summer of study at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. On March 28, 1959, John married Carol Wilhelmi. A longtime teacher, he began his career in Sigourney for three years before moving to Cedar Rapids. John spent 36 years at Franklin Middle School as a social studies teacher and coach for many sports. After retirement, he and Carol wintered in Mesa, Arizona for 20 years. John will be remembered as a voracious book reader. He was always in search for the next book and enjoyed sharing his finds with family and friends. John was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for 55 years where he served in many capacities including president of the congregation. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Walter and Rose Wilhelmi; brother-in-law, Richard Wilhelmi; and sister-in-law, Betty Wilhelmi Daake. Memorials for John are suggested to Bethany Lutheran Church, Hospice of Mercy, or the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation.