Edwin J. Rostedt

Edwin John Rostedt, 95, of Tallmadge, Ohio passed away peacefully after a short illness Monday, December 7, 2020, in Akron, Ohio.  Edwin was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Bertha Constance Rostedt (nee Sroka) Nov. 22, 2020, and eldest son, Markus John Rostedt (1/09/2002).

Edwin and Bertha are survived by their children Barbara (Markus deceased) of Hudson, OH., Walter (Jill) of North Ridgeville, OH., Eric (Vicky) of Kent, OH., and Brian (Ginette) of Uniontown, OH.

Grandchildren; Kelly (Ben) Jessup, of Pataskala, OH., Ryan (Melissa) of Ellet, OH., Elizabeth (Mike) Casula of Annandale, Va., Mike (Maria) of Brecksville, OH, Jon (Cortney, fiancée) of Munroe Falls, OH, Jason (Justina) of Ft. Lewis, WA., Jessica (Josh) Kvam of Atlanta, GA., and Natalie of Uniontown, OH.  Additionally, Mom and Dad were blessed to have 16 great-great grandchildren

Edwin was born Dec. 1, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY to new immigrants Senja (nee Minkkinen) and John Markus Rostedt.  In 1935 the family moved to Brooklyn, Ct. where Dad helped build their home and poultry farm in the largely Finnish farming community in Eastern Connecticut.  It was at Killingly High School in Danielson, CT., where Ed met Bertha Sroka, and they began their life's journey together.

Like so many men and women of the "Greatest Generation", Dad fought in WW-II.  Assigned to the Army Air Corp's 15th Airforce, 465th Bomb Group, and 780th Squadron, he flew out of Pantanella, Italy.  Dad flew as a top turret gunner on B-24 heavy bombers and completed 32 missions over enemy territory.  Friday, October 13, 1944, dad went MIA over Blechhammer, Poland.  Weeks later the crew was found to have made an emergency landing at a Soviet airfield in Lvov, Ukraine.  Dad always referred to Friday the 13th as his "Lucky Day".  After their bomber was repaired, they returned to theater and continued the fight until VE day in Europe.  Dads "GI all expenses paid world tour" included stops in Iran, the Trucial States, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and flying out of West Africa to Brazil.  From there, his crew came up through Central America on their return flight to the USA.

After the war, Dad continued his education at the Aeronautical School at LaGuardia Airport in NYC.  Upon graduation, Mom and Dad moved to Akron, Ohio to work for then Goodyear Aircraft.  Dad worked for them for 43 years, all on navy defense system programs from blimps (lighter than air) to anti-ship torpedo's and vertical launch missiles.    Settling in Tallmadge, Ohio, they built their home in 1950 and lived there for over 70 years.  Bert and Ed raised their four boys, hosted wedding receptions, holidays and fed many of the other "boomer" kids in the neighborhood, and there were plenty.  They both gave and received much love in their home.  All four boys graduated from Tallmadge, Ohio, playing sports and going on to gain degrees from Ohio universities; Kent State, Akron U., and Miami U.

Dad's favorite hobby was his family.  As an only child, Dad took great pleasure in the holiday meals where all the family would pack into the house for gift exchanges, great meals, and laughing and joking thru three generations.  In 2009, Dad took a trip back to his parents, native Finland, where he toured the nation, reconnecting with his parent's extended family after almost 100 years.

Private service will be held on 12/12/20.  Memorial Service will be held at a later date.