Edward James Kollmann

PLANO – Edward James Kollmann, age 77, of Plano passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018, at Willowcrest Nursing Pavilion, Sandwich, Illinois, following chronic illness.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Esther (McMahan) Kollmann.  He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Michelle (Newman) Kollmann; sister, Joan (Wallace; children, Rebecca and David) Horton; three daughters (Stephanie, Kimberly, and Natalie), sons in-law Henry Verner and Vincent Polera; and several cousins he held as lifelong friends.  In recent years, he was especially delighted by his three grandchildren, Kenli (11), Mekada (9), and Jed (5), each of whom gave their grandfather hundreds of smiles.

Everyone who knew Ed can picture his grin and many who bore the full force of his laugh still hear it ringing.  He enjoyed, told, and played jokes to the end.  But Ed was also a scrupulous banker, an amateur photographer and adventurer who loved car trips out West, and a gifted musician who sang bass in the church choir for decades.

Born in Blue Island, Ed grew up on a Cook County farm and remained a lifelong enthusiast of agriculture, nature, science, and local people and places.  After a brief sojourn for college (California State University, Long Beach), he returned to Chicagoland to work in accounting, finance, and management.  Of a long career in the city, suburbs, and countryside, perhaps his fondest memories were traveling to Illinois small towns (as an auditor for Peat Marwick) and investing in local farms and businesses (as president of a former bank in Sandwich, now Midland States Bank).  Before and after retirement, he devoured farming and science magazines and savored afternoons at Silver Springs State Park.

Edward’s life will be remembered on Saturday, February 10, at the United Methodist Church of Plano, 219 N. Hale Street, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and a funeral service at noon followed by a luncheon.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to the church.  Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa is assisting the family with arrangements.

To share a memory or light a candle, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.