Edmund Pilarz, 81, devoted husband, loving father, caring brother and trusted friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Kansas City Hospice House on February 21, 2021.
Ed was born on January 5, 1940 in Camden, New Jersey, son of Victor and Mary Pilarz (Zandarski). After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1958, Ed served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas. Here he met his beloved bride, Virginia Pilarz (Ginny Reeves), beginning their journey of what became 60 years of life, love and laughter together. After being married on February 11, 1961, Ed and Ginny welcomed their daughter Staci in 1962, son Edmund in 1964 and son Jerry in 1970.
After serving on the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Ed began his lifelong passion for sales, working on the Sherwin Williams team that concepted Braniff Airlines Flying Colors. Later he worked for the Gene Widick Company, a leading sporting goods distributor, travelling throughout the Midwest. He came into his own as a national sales leader for Orkin Pest Control. Ed and his family spent a short time living in Des Moines, IA, before finally transferring to Mission, Kansas, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Ed further honed his sales excellence with Chemspec, Inc., reinventing himself with immersive study and extensive expertise of cleaning chemicals and compounds. Ed’s devotion to the tenets of work and providing for his family was seen all the way up to the day that he was struck by the illness that was to eventually take his life. A lifelong love of the game of football was seen in his time as both an elementary school coach and a high school football referee, which he always spoke of fondly.
Ed loved his children with endless dedication and passion. Always there to lend a hand, coach the team, be a shoulder to cry on, help you paint a wall, change a tire, come over to help you with that tough project, provide a hug when you needed one and be the amazing guy that was always on your side, Ed was the best Dad anyone could ever ask for. When grandson Brian came into the family in 1980, Ed embraced his new role as a grandfather with the same heart and soul, here is when he became our Pops. Always there to help and support, Ed and Ginny were fervent devotees to Brian and his career as an excellent youth hockey player. Ed served as the President of the Kansas City Junior Blades, providing his leadership to many young hockey players.
Serving as a Lector was one of the many things that Ed loved about being a parishioner for 38 years at St. Pius X Church in Mission, Kansas, as his Catholic faith was deeply set in his core. Truly one to have never met a stranger, no image of Ed is clearer than when he’d approach anyone and everyone with his warm smile and cup of coffee in his left hand with his right hand extended for that wonderful handshake that made you feel loved and important.
Ed’s love for Ginny defined dedication, love and caring. He never missed a chance to tell her how much he loved her, be it a daily handwritten note or a surprise gift. His tireless dedication to Ginny as she faced many medical challenges throughout the years was truly something to behold.
The family wishes to thank all who cared for Ed at The University of Kansas Health System as he battled a host of health issues in his final days, as well as the staff at the Kansas City Hospice House who ensured that Ed departed this life with the dignity and respect he so richly deserved.
Ed leaves behind his wife Virginia Pilarz (Reeves) of Mission, Kansas; his sister Mary Ann Fitzpatrick (Ed) of West Deptford, New Jersey, his sister Melody Miller of Bellmawr, New Jersey, his brother Ron Pilarz (Joan) of Scranton, Pennsylvania; his children Staci Jennings (John) of La Cygne, Kansas, his son Edmund of Chicago, Illinois, his son Jerry Pilarz (Becky) of Overland Park, Kansas; his grandchildren Brian Pilarz (Amber) of Grandview, Missouri, Spicie Haile of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Maddy Pilarz of Overland Park, Kansas, Lizzy and John Pilarz of La Grange, Illinois; and his great-grandchildren Alijah, Kaylee, Lily, Stasha and Dante. He is preceded in death by his parents Victor and Mary, his brothers Victor and Matthew and his granddaughter Helen Ann.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Kansas City Hospice House.