Anderson, IN - Edwin Lavern Etchison, 96, passed away Sept. 1, 2025.

Edwin was born in Alexandria, Indiana, on June 25, 1929, to Ernie Leroy Etchison and Mary Elsie (Eaton) Etchison.

Ed met his future wife, Kathryn "Kathy" while driving by the front of the Paramount Theater in 1949 in Anderson. Ed married Kathryn Anne (Wells) Etchison on Oct. 10, 1950, and they would have been married 75 years this coming October.

Ed graduated from Alexandria High School in 1948 where he was a varsity athlete in both basketball and football. He also played the tuba in the Alexandria Monroe High School band. He would complain that the school did not give him enough time to change out of his football uniform and into his band uniform at the start of the football halftime. Ed was a staff sergeant and played the tuba for several years in the National Guard band in the early 1950's

Ed went to work at the Guide Lamp, division of General Motors where he became a journeyman tool and die maker. He was extremely active in the United Autoworkers Union (UAW) at Guide Lamp where he served multiple times as Chairman of the Bargaining "Shop" Committee. Edwin retired after 44 years of service from Guide Lamp.

Ed was a huge IU fan having been a football season ticket holder for over 30 years. Both of his children where IU graduates along with two of his grandchildren. He also cheered for Purdue University as he had several family members who graduated from there as well. Ed loved the Colts and was a season ticket holder from 2006 until the present. He also followed both Indy car (he was a 60+ year attendee at the Indy 500) and NASCAR where he attended many various events at the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Telling jokes and singing Sinatra songs while karaoke-ing was another of his favorite pastimes. He spent many summers in Minnesota with his family (including his parents) for a few weeks where Ed would water ski and fish. That was before he had a family lake cottage in Cicero on Morse Reservoir. Pontoon rides were always a favorite past time with family.

He will be greatly missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jane Evelyn Etchison; sister, Joyce Etchison McCarty; and daughter-in-law, JoAnn Stahly Etchison.

Surviving him are his wife of nearly 75 years, Kathryn Anne (Wells) Etchison; son, John Edwin Etchison (special friend, Lorrie Sumpter); daughter, Jill Etchison Stephenson (partner, Paul Burrell); grandchildren, Lance Stephenson (wife, Leigh Anne), Clayton Stephenson (wife, Colleen), Brooke Stephenson Ochs (husband, Chris Ochs), Justin Wells Etchison (wife, Jenniffer) and Rachel Jane Caiafa (husband, Vince). Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild expected soon.

Edwin was a member of the First Presbyterian Church here in Anderson for many years.

The family will hold a private celebration of life for him at a later date.