Edward Leonard Soapes

Edward Leonard Soapes

Edward Leonard Soapes passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at 4:39 p.m. at Stillwater Senior Living in Edwardsville, Illinois. He was 92 years old.

Ed was born in Staunton, Illinois, a home birth, on May 24, 1929, to Ralph “Cotton” and Bertha (Scheller) Soapes. He was an only child, very curious, experimenting with things like jumping off the roof with an umbrella and taking apart his new mechanical Popeye to see how it worked. While the top was ruined, and he found no spinach, it proved to be a prediction of things to come, as he later excelled as a mechanic.

He was an avid motorcyclist, and a member of the Midstate Motorcycle Club. He spent many hours helping lay out the flat track and working races along with his wife, Barb. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, VFW, Masons, Elks Club, Teamsters 710 and Central States.

Ed was a well-rounded man who worked many types of jobs in his lifetime. He worked at Olin, Waggoner Electric, Bowman’s Motorcycle Shop, Ford Motor Company, Hano, Buske Trucklines, and finished his career with Yellow Freight where he retired with 2 million miles, no accidents. Ed also ran his own service station in Mt. Olive for a time in the 50’s as well as sold and serviced Zundapp motorcycles out of his garage, as well as anything else on wheels that needed repaired.

Ed served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict, mustering out as Sergeant of the Motor Pool. He worried in his later years about the Koreans who worked with their unit, and how they fared after the war.

He married Barbara (Taylor) Soapes on May 7, 1951, in Pocahontas, AR, and she survives. Earlier this year they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Ralph Soapes, in-laws Eva and Fred Taylor, sons: Tommy (in infancy) and more recently, Jeffrey.

Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara, three daughters: Jeanine Vancauwelaert, Donna (Dennis) Yokley, Darla (Tim) Pickerill, grandchildren: Hollie (Brant) Fleming, Wendy (Brad) Schoen, Eric (Shannon) Vancauwelaert, Ian Vancauwelaert, Katie (Ryan) Wear, Tim (Sharon) Pickerill, and Trey Pickerill, and four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Landon, Van, and Hunter.

He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be on Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 10 a.m. until service begins at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Olive, Illinois. Pastor Tommy Brewer will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Memorials should be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Olive or Mt. Olive Care Center.

Becker and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Anyone wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at beckerandson.com.

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