Obituary

Edward Dean Wuerflein

March 30, 1938 — March 16, 2022

 

Edward Dean Wuerflein, 83, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife Bonnie, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Abilene, Texas. A birthday celebration will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. A funeral service will be held 12:30 PM, Thursday, March 31, 2022, in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Interment will follow in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 W Lake Rd, Abilene, TX, 79601.

 

Ed was born March 30, 1938, in Bailey County to George and Lillie Wuerflein. As a boy, Ed grew up on the farm his grandparents purchased from the XIT ranch with his parents and younger siblings, Frank and Martha. The values of hard work and integrity were instilled in him from an early age. He attended school in Muleshoe, Texas. Ed had a strong obligation to the farm and his mother after his father passed away when Ed was only 18. During his time farming, the military drafted him into the United States Army and he proudly served our country for a short time. One of his favorite memories was when President John Kennedy visited the troops in Berlin. After being honorably discharged, Ed returned to the farm and started a land levelling business in the Panhandle. He was very successful in this career and many called him the best ‘earth sculptor’ there ever was. That degree of precision was due to his attitude that “there’s only one way to do things, and it’s the right way.” In March of 1974, he met the love of his life Bonnie Wuerflein, and the two were married on January 10, 1975. Edward and Bonnie both sought adventure and travel together. The couple traveled to Europe, Mexico, and South America. He even played with the bulls in Soria, Spain and is in a published book in their community. Ed continued his adventure as he sought out flying lessons and enjoyed flying his small plane for many years. In 1991, Ed received his Bachelors in Computer Science from West Texas State. The rule book of life Ed lived by and valued was one of honesty, integrity, hard work, and humor. Many would describe Ed as generous servant, Mr. Fix It, Prince of a Landlord, “Cut Up”, friend to all he met, meticulous, and thorough. Ed and Bonnie attended Radiant Life Church in Abilene and invited everyone they met to church because they knew the lifechanging impact of being involved in community with other believers. In his later years, Ed was drawn to the Word of God and would listen to it for hours at a time while he reminisced on his life with Bonnie. Above all, Ed loved his family and helped to set the foundation of Christianity in each of their lives. His legacy of hard work, dedication, generosity, and faith will be one that is carried on through generations to come.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Bonnie Wuerflein.

 

He is survived by his three daughters, Melinda Earl and husband John, Anjani Cole, and Jessica Pietsek and husband Seth; his grandchildren, Tyson Earl, Ethan Earl, Carson Cole, Currian Cole, Jaxon Pietsek, Hudson Pietsek, and Sofia Pietsek; his brother, Frank Wuerflein; his sister, Martha Morgan; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

 

In lieu of flowers the family requests plants or donations be made to the Radiant Life Church’s building fund, https://radiantlife.churchcenter.com/giving/to/spaces-places-building-fund