Edward Dennis Anderson

A service for Edward Dennis Anderson was held Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Words of comfort were provided by Reverend Paul Burrow of the First United Methodist Church in Perry, Iowa. Casket bearers were Dennis Anderson and Paul Anderson. Military honors were performed by the Iowa Army National Guard Funeral Honors and the American Legion Post #99 of Minburn. Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery in Minburn, Iowa. Edward Dennis Anderson was born July 13, 1948 in the Perry Hospital, Perry, Iowa, to Dennis Anderson and Marilyn Fisher Anderson. Ed died May 17, 2016 at the Highland Park Hospital, Highland Park, Illinois at the age of 67. Ed's parents were divorced and he and his older brother Paul were adopted by his maternal grandparents, Harry and Vera Dills Fisher. During those years, Ed attended school in Minburn. Harry died in 1957 and Vera died in 1961. Their grandmother's brother, Clyde Dills and his wife Ione made a home for the boys. That move, although not far from the Fisher farm, necessitated a change of schools to Roosevelt School in Perry for two years. Ed then attended Roosevelt Military School in Aledo, Illinois, for four years, graduating before enlisting in the Army. Ed served in Korea during the Vietnam War era. He was honorably discharged and the illness he suffered before he left the service, disabled him. Ed's years in Michigan near his aunt Dorothy Fisher Giel, were filled with love and caring. In fact, people who cared for him loved him. Aunt Dorothy moved to Arizona to be near her children, and he was comfortable to stay in Michigan. Ed was truly "Michiganized" (in the words of brother Paul). He was a fan of Michigan State and the University of Michigan football, as well as the Detroit Tigers baseball team and the Detroit Lions football team. Ed spent several years at the Stepping Stone AFC group home in Battle Creek, Michigan. He unfortunately became allergic to his meds, and he became very ill. Paul moved him to Illinois so he would be closer to Ed and could care for him there. Ed was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Harry and Vera Fisher, adoptive brother and sister-in-law Claude and Helen Hewitt Fisher, all of whom he will be buried by; adoptive sister Dorothy Fisher Giel; and biological mother Marilyn Fisher. Ed will be dearly missed and forever loved by his brother Paul Dean Anderson of Glenview, IL and Paul's two daughters Rachel Anderson of Minneapolis, MN and Lindsey Cavanaugh of Peoria, IL; also his biological father Dennis Anderson; cousins Shellie Wicks (Ron); Debbie Halling; George Anderson; Janet Giel Roma and Judy Giel both of Phoenix, AZ; David Dills of Des Moines; and Robert and Keith Dills; other relatives; many caregivers and friends. A poem written by Edward's brother Paul: Good morning Lord my brothers gone To your land where he belongs. He's a good man, that I know. He's going to have a spiritual glow. So donate his organs - he'd want that. If indeed his mind were still intact. He knew helping others was where it was at. Now that he's dead, it's so matter of fact! So what do we do as a matter of course? There's always a certain amount of remorse. Make arrangements for Ed which will be enforced. He never had to go through a divorce. Dearest Facebook friends today My brother Ed did pass away. So now he sleeps and rides God's sleigh To the heavenly bodies so far away. He was a good man upon this earth With schizophrenia he was immersed. But up on high they'll be rebirth And he will show just what he's worth. So thank you Lord it is Your will And I accept and I'm tranquil He loved others and will fulfill His potential and use his skill.