Edwin Lyle Carpenter, 87, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born February 25, 1939, in Ashland, Ohio, he was the son of Marshall and Delphia (Ross) Carpenter.
Ed graduated from Ruggles-Troy High School in Ohio and later from Tri-State College, now Trine University. On April 2, 1961, he married Mary Jean Horner at the Central E.U.B. Church in Wabash; she preceded him in death on August 13, 2024. Throughout his career, Ed held engineering positions with seven different companies, retiring in 2011. He was a dedicated member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he served three terms as trustee. He was also active in the Hanna Masonic Lodge #61, the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, and the Mizpah Shrine. For 30 years, Ed served as treasurer for the GLSA Salmon Derby, a Lake Michigan event benefiting Shriners Hospitals. He took great pride in caring for his yard and found his greatest joy in time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by two children, Brad (Janet) Carpenter of LaFontaine, Indiana, and Jackie (Scott) Long of Wabash; grandchildren, Tiffany Harrell of LaFontaine, Ariel Gotschall of Wabash, Caleb (Lauren Jones) Carpenter of Daleville, Indiana, Tyson (Natalie Border) Gotschall of Fairmount, Indiana, Kylie (Scott) Mercer of Marion, Indiana, and Hayley (Ben) Brubaker of Bluffton, Indiana, and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Jean Carpenter; son, Christopher Scott Carpenter; great-granddaughter Octavia Brubaker; three brothers, Ralph, Lloyd, and Paul Carpenter; and two sisters Ila Hartsel and Irene Schwan.
Funeral services will begin with a masonic service at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 22, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Jay Driskill officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12:30-2:00 pm Friday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Riley Hospital for Children, Shriners Hospital for Children, or Christ United Methodist Church of Wabash.
The memorial guest book for Ed may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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