Edgar "Ed" Maitzen

Edgar R. “Ed” Maitzen, 84, Rockford, passed away in his home on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. He was born on June 1, 1931, in Berwyn, the son of Raymond and Katherine (Herkenarath) Maitzen and moved to Rockford in 1932. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1949, and attended Augustana College. Ed was a veteran of the Navy serving from 1951 to 1955. He married Thirza Wadcock in Pensacola, FL on September 5, 1953. He was the owner-operator of Ideal Uniform Company from 1958 until its sale to Cintas in 2000, when he retired. Ed was a member of St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church. He had a beautiful Tenor voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir and with the “Good Times Singers”. Ed served on the national Board of Directors of the Institute of the Industrial Launderers in Washington DC. He had a passion for boating and spent many years navigating the Mississippi River. Ed and Thirza loved to travel taking trips all over the country including many trips to England.
Survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Thirza; his sons, Michael (Ann) of Indianapolis, IN and Christopher (Gwen) of Oregon, WI, and his daughter, Kathleen (Randy) Grignon of Belvidere; his grandchildren, Michaela (Ken) Austin, Zacariah (Theresa) Maitzen and Katherine Maitzen; his great-grandsons, Robert and Benjamin Austin; his sister-in-law, Trudy Martley and brother-in-law, Charles Wadcock, and his nephew-in-law, Brian (Helen) Martley. Predeceased by his daughter Susan K Maitzen, his parents, and his sister, Virginia Galfano.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 16, 2016, at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church, 4801 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, with Reverend Andrea Wight officiating. Visitation from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. on Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Rd, Rockford, 61108 or to St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com