Edwin "Eddie" R. Piland, age 90, of Topeka, KS and formerly of Great Bend, KS, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Rossville Healthcare & Rehab.
He was born the son of the late Russell and Alta May (Dykes) Piland on January 28, 1933, in rural Stafford County, KS. Eddie attended Macksville schools and furthered his education at Sterling College in Sterling, KS. While in college, Eddie met Geraldine “Gerrie” Andrus. They were married on June 26, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Macksville, KS. Together, they shared almost 69 years of marriage.
Coming to Great Bend in the summer of 1960, Eddie’s main career was as an elementary teacher for USD 428. He also worked in retail grocery, Sears, CKMC, oilfield and in personal sales. Eddie was a longtime member of Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Great Bend, member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and a current member of Southwest Christian Church in Topeka.
Ed and Gerrie enjoyed camping in their motorhome with the Good Sam camping organization.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Geraldine “Gerrie” Piland; three wonderful children, Neil Piland and his wife Becky of Topeka, Cindy Stevenson and her husband Mike of Loveland, CO, and Tom Piland and his wife Maria of Topeka; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Piland, Eric Piland, Peter Piland, Daniel Piland, Mindy Davidson, Chris Stevenson and Case Stevenson. Other survivors include great-grandchildren, Nathan Davidson, Clayton Davidson, Kelsey Stevenson, Chloe Stevenson, and Ian Piland. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Eston Piland.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Southwest Christian Church, 5747 SW Huntoon St., Topeka, KS 66604, with Pastor Terry Neidens presiding.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 A.M., on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Cornerstone Fellowship Church, 1609 24th St., Great Bend, KS 67530, with Pastor Curtis Reinhardt presiding. A graveside service will then take place at 2:00 P.M., at Farmington Cemetery in Macksville, KS. Following the graveside service, everyone is welcomed to the United Methodist Grace Church in Macksville for a luncheon and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Eddie's memory to Southwest Christian Church and/or Sterling College. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
Topeka arrangements are entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Condolences can be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.
Graveside services in Macksville are entrusted to Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd, Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences can be left at www.bryantfh.net.