Edwin E. "Ed" Blaser, 87, of Rock Island, died July 31, 2014.

Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2014 at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan, where a Masonic service will be conducted at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island, where military honors will be presented.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ed's name to the Ava Blaser Fund, Wheaton Bank & Trust, 211 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 to assist with medical expenses for Ed's six year old granddaughter Ava, who is battling kidney cancer.

He was born October 11, 1926 in Milan, the son of John H. Blaser, Jr. and Mildred (Moffitt) Blaser. He married Beverly McCulloch on July 18, 1959. She preceded him in death on September 22, 2011.

Ed graduated from Rock Island High School in 1944, finishing fourth in state as a member of the wrestling team. He graduated from Augustana College in 1950, where he was a member of Beta Omega Sigma Fraternity, captain of the baseball team and a member of the wrestling team. Ed earned a master's degree from Western Illinois University in 1965.

Ed served in the US Navy during WW II from 1945-1946, stationed on Guam. He also served in the Korean War from 1950-1951, stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base, where he was a starter for the renowned Great Lakes Blue Jackets baseball team.

He was a lifetime member of Eureka Lodge 69 A.F. & A.M., Milan, the American Legion and the NEA. He was a member of the Viking Club, the Moline Consistory, and Riverside United Methodist Church of Moline.

Ed worked at Davenport Bank and Trust from 1951-1957 and at John Deere (as an Industrial Representative for the State Of Iowa) from 1957-1961. He was a teacher in the Moline School District from 1961-1989, and was athletic director and coached wrestling and football while at Coolidge Jr. High. Ed owned and operated several businesses during his lifetime, including CIF Realty.

Ed will be remembered by many for his willingness to help others. He spent many years volunteering as a youth baseball coach in Milan's Little League and Babe Ruth Leagues, and was head of the Milan Farm League program.

Survivors include two children, Susan (Keith) Elliott of St. Charles, Mo. and Scott (Angie) Blaser of Wheaton, Ill.; four grandchildren, Matthew Elliott of St. Charles, Mo. and Austin, Emma and Ava Blaser of Wheaton, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be left at www.wheelanpressly.com.