Edson G. "Ed" Stiles, 95, of Ironwood, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the Lakeview Assisted Living Facility in Gladstone. Ed was born Aug. 31, 1912, in Wells, Minn., son of the late Gerald and Clara (Lathrop) Stiles. He received his Bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin- River Falls in 1934, and his Master's degree in Music Education from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. in 1939. He served as band director at Palatine Township High School in Palatine, Ill., where he received first place in the National Championship Marching Band Competition in 1940. He also served as band director at Ishpeming High School and of the Ishpeming City Band, Ishpeming, Mich., and Roseburg High School, Roseburg, Oregon. He was also supervisor of bands in the Roseburg school system. Ed came to Ironwood in 1953 to teach band in the grade school system of Ironwood and Ironwood Township. In 1954 he became band director at Luther L. Wright High School. In 1966 he left teaching after 30 years, going into selling custom designed printed sports wear, and worked in 2 1/2 states for nineteen years. He represented Collegiate Pacific Sports Wear, a national printing wear company out of Ames, Iowa, retiring in 1985. During his years in Ironwood, Ed often mentioned how impressed he was with the general attitude, esprit de corps and determination shown by the students he worked with. He felt they reflected the mental toughness of the local miners who built the area they were so proud to be a part of. Ed was an avid Green Bay Packer fan since 1937. He loved listening to Al Jolson music, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved working in the woods. He was married to the former Helen L. Senne on May 22, 1940, in Wells. She preceded him in death Feb. 4, 1984. He then married Darryl C. Whitman on Jan. 19, 1986 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Munising. She preceded him in death April 21, 2006 Surviving are a son, Gary (Jan), Gladstone; two daughters, Dorothy (Marvin "Jake") Cox, Franktown, Colo., and Joyanne (Bill) Toijala, Cottage Grove, Wis.; a step-daughter, Susan (Max) Macauley, McMillan; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wives, Ed was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and William. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 13, at 11:30 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with Kim C. Korinek, Christian Science Practitioner, officiating. Luncheon will follow at Tacconelli's Towne House in downtown Ironwood. Spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview Assisted Living Facility, 1100 Lake Shore Drive, Gladstone, Mich. 49837. To view Ed's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc.of Ironwood.