William Edwin Greiner
January 5, 1932 — April 27, 2017
William Edwin, was born January 5, 1932 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. At the age of two, he became the of son of Peter and Gertrude (McAllister) Greiner. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. He attended grade school at St. Mary’s, where he graduated from High School with the Class of 1949. Ed enlisted in the Air Force in 1951, serving until 1954. He was a gunner on the B-29 bomber.
On January 18, 1955, he was united in marriage to Rosemary “Rosie” Schwery at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. Eight children were born to this union; Tim, Joann, Theresa, Mary Kay, Delores “Dee Dee”, Jean, Gerard “Gerry” and Don. Ed farmed the Greiner century farm his entire career, and worked at the Pork Plant in Harlan in the 60's and 70's. He actively served as an adjutant in the American Legion. He sang in the St. Mary’s Choir and Panama Community Chorus. While a Panama Cub Scout Leader, he built the pinewood derby track. He was honored as Shelby County Farmer of the Year in 1978, and was quite handy at fixing and building most anything.
Ed loved life! He always said his children were his greatest accomplishment, and he was very involved in their activities as they grew up. He was a lifelong HCHS sports fan; traveling to tournaments and actively followed all sports. He loved to sing and was very involved in the Community Theater productions in both Panama and Harlan.
He was Grandpa Eddie to his grandchildren, and was very involved in each of their lives. The twinkle in his eyes sparkled brightly when he met each new addition. He definitely had a sweet tooth, with a special affinity for turtles, sugar popcorn and ice cream. When Rosie wasn’t looking, he would tell us it was o.k. to stir the ice cream.
Ed loved restoring bicycles and his tractor; going to swap meets, flea markets and antique fairs to find parts. He loved traveling to see his children all over the USA, going on cruises and attending NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway and the Daytona 500. He loved to play cards at home, uptown or in Harlan with his buddies, and of course, he was the best. He loved going to the Casinos and entering Texas Hold ‘em tournaments. He loved to dance the square dance, jitterbug and waltz, with Rosie his lifelong partner.
In May of 2009, Ed retired from the farm into the town of Panama, where he died at his home on April 27, 2017 attaining the age of eighty-five years, three months and twenty-two days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Rosie, son Gerry and sister Mary Ann Jensen. Survivors include his children Dr. Timothy Greiner and his wife Janet of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joann and her husband Jim Noble of Apopka, Florida; Theresa and her husband Kurt Wieneke of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary Kay and her husband Scott Jorgensen of Grand Prairie, Texas; Dee Dee and her husband Steve Leinen of Panama, Iowa; Jean James of West Des Moines, Iowa; Donald “Don” Greiner and his wife Kim of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
On January 18, 1955, he was united in marriage to Rosemary “Rosie” Schwery at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. Eight children were born to this union; Tim, Joann, Theresa, Mary Kay, Delores “Dee Dee”, Jean, Gerard “Gerry” and Don. Ed farmed the Greiner century farm his entire career, and worked at the Pork Plant in Harlan in the 60's and 70's. He actively served as an adjutant in the American Legion. He sang in the St. Mary’s Choir and Panama Community Chorus. While a Panama Cub Scout Leader, he built the pinewood derby track. He was honored as Shelby County Farmer of the Year in 1978, and was quite handy at fixing and building most anything.
Ed loved life! He always said his children were his greatest accomplishment, and he was very involved in their activities as they grew up. He was a lifelong HCHS sports fan; traveling to tournaments and actively followed all sports. He loved to sing and was very involved in the Community Theater productions in both Panama and Harlan.
He was Grandpa Eddie to his grandchildren, and was very involved in each of their lives. The twinkle in his eyes sparkled brightly when he met each new addition. He definitely had a sweet tooth, with a special affinity for turtles, sugar popcorn and ice cream. When Rosie wasn’t looking, he would tell us it was o.k. to stir the ice cream.
Ed loved restoring bicycles and his tractor; going to swap meets, flea markets and antique fairs to find parts. He loved traveling to see his children all over the USA, going on cruises and attending NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway and the Daytona 500. He loved to play cards at home, uptown or in Harlan with his buddies, and of course, he was the best. He loved going to the Casinos and entering Texas Hold ‘em tournaments. He loved to dance the square dance, jitterbug and waltz, with Rosie his lifelong partner.
In May of 2009, Ed retired from the farm into the town of Panama, where he died at his home on April 27, 2017 attaining the age of eighty-five years, three months and twenty-two days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Rosie, son Gerry and sister Mary Ann Jensen. Survivors include his children Dr. Timothy Greiner and his wife Janet of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joann and her husband Jim Noble of Apopka, Florida; Theresa and her husband Kurt Wieneke of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary Kay and her husband Scott Jorgensen of Grand Prairie, Texas; Dee Dee and her husband Steve Leinen of Panama, Iowa; Jean James of West Des Moines, Iowa; Donald “Don” Greiner and his wife Kim of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
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