Edward A. Holland, 83, of Scales Mound, IL, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012, following complications of a stroke he suffered on July 16, 2012.

Ed was born on December 14, 1928, in rural Scales Mound, son of James C. and Clara (Artman) Holland. He was a 1946 graduate of Scales Mound High School.

On August 4, 1951, Ed married Elizabeth (Betty Rae) Baus at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Apple River, IL. They resided on the Holland family homestead, an Illinois Centennial farm, until 1996, when they moved to the Stadel-Holland farm on the northern edge of Scales Mound.

Ed began farming on the Holland family farm at the age of 15 when his father died. He bought his first tractor, a John Deere H, in 1944 and was an avid John Deere farmer all of his life. The spring of 2012 marked his 68th year of planting corn. Until the time of his stroke he enjoyed working with his sons and grandsons on the family farms. Among his interests that he shared with his sons and grandsons were tractor pulling and deer hunting.

Ed was a lifetime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Apple River where he served on the Parish Council and Cemetery Board, and as Trustee, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, & Usher.

Ed was active in the Scales Mound community. He was a member and president of the former Scales Mound Lions Club. He served as a member and president of the Board of Education for the Scales Mound School District #211. He also served on the Board of Directors and as president for the Thompson & Guilford Insurance Company. In addition to farming, he was a DeKalb Seed Corn dealer for several years. To the delight of area children and adults alike, Ed served as Santa's helper at Christmas time for many years in Scales Mound.

Ed's greatest joys were his faith, family, friends, and farming. For several decades Ed and Betty hosted an annual corn boil at their home.

Survivers include his wife of 61 years, Betty; daughter, Sister Kathleen Holland, OSF, Clinton, IA, and sons: William (Lisa), rural Apple River, IL, and their children, Jacqueline, Megan, Patrick, Timothy, and Brian; Kevin (Marianne), Orlando, FL, and sons, Jordan Anderson, Nathan (Kate) and their daughter, Addison Lynn, and Matthew; Terrence (Virginia), rural Scales Mound, IL, and their daughters; Rachel, Angela, and Leah; Martin (Anne), Springfield, VA, and their children, Erin and Christopher; and Joel (Joellen), Galena, IL, and their children, Ryan, Julia, and Reid; Sister-in-laws, Hilda Holland, Kent WA, and Mary Holland, Cincinnati, OH, and numberous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Edward J and Elizabeth (Beggin) Holland and Andrew and Mayme (Powers) Artman; brothers, Leland J, R Patrick, and Claire (in infancy); sister, Barbara (in infancy); father and mother-in-law, W R and Letha Baus; brother-in-laws, David and Donald Baus; and nephews, David and Joseph Holland.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012, from 2 P/M to 8 P/M, at the Miller & Steinke Funeral Home, Scales Mound, IL, where the family rosary will be recited at 1:30 P/M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 24, 2012, at 10:30 A/M, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Apple River, IL, with Rev Max Striedel, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Apple River, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St Joseph's Church, St Joseph's Cemetery, or to a charity of one's choice.

The Holland family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Bernard & Dr. Vandigo, and the staff at Midwest Medical Center and Galena Stauss Care Center for the care extended to Ed since his stroke.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.millerfhed.com.