George Edward Hradel was the sixth son and ninth of 10 children born in Niles, to Austrian-Hungary Slovak immigrants Florian Hradel and Anna (Hodal) Hradel on Jan. 22, 1924.

On the evening of June 26, 2019, at age 95, “Ed,” as he was referred to, passed away peacefully at his home while being comforted by friends and family.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Ed is preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene Ehlert, of Baroda, who passed June 6, 1986; and his second wife, Ruth Hinchman-Tinkham on Sept. 13, 2005.

He is survived by two children, Mathew Hradel, of Jackson, Michigan, and Laura Hatten, of Niles, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ed attended St. Mary’s Catholic grade school and graduated from Niles Senior High School in 1942. His early employment included the South Bend Studebaker automobile plant followed by a long career as a talented machinist for the National Standard Company in Niles.

Ed was known and loved for his charisma, exuberance and quick wit. Always the life of every party, he was a loyal and caring friend. Ed was proudly devoted to family, loved the home he and his brothers and brothers-in-law built on Barrett Street, enjoyed caring for his yard and garden, and in later years, built thousands of birdhouses in his basement wood shop.

Ed was an extremely dynamic and energetic man. He was a seemingly unstoppable force, mowing lawns and looking in on friends and family up until a few months of his death. Determined to not wear his hearing aids, conversations with him were known to get loud and take an interesting turn. He was deeply proud of being a Hradel, was very loyal to his siblings, loved Niles and unfailingly reminded friends at the end of every visit to “Keep the faith — it’s a jungle out there.”

A memorial mass to honor Ed will take place beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Ed may do so to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, S. State St., Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences for Ed’s family and friends can be left at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.