Edward Mason Samson

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Edward Mason Samson, 78, a longtime resident of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Edward was born on Feb. 13, 1936, in Flint, the son of Percy Edward and Abby Ruth (Warby) Samson. He attended Flint Northern High School and graduated in 1954. After high school, Ed took up the barber trade and worked alongside his father in his shop. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for eight years.

In 1963, Ed joined the Michigan State Police. He was assigned to posts in Flat Rock, Brighton, St. Ignace, Cheboygan, Wakefield and Owosso. In February 1986, Ed retired from the MSP-Owosso Post 15.

After his longtime career with the Michigan State Police, Ed opened a barber shop in White Pine, where he worked and enjoyed the company of many friends for 22 years. During that time, Ed was an active member of the White Pine Lions Club and played Santa Claus for the White Pine community Christmas parties.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, making firewood, riding his motorcycles and flying his airplanes. Ed loved to make a steaming hot stack of pancakes for anyone who would eat them. A lover of classic cars, he was a member of the Klassic Kruisers Car Club.

On Sept. 15, 1985, Ed was united in marriage to Gail Johnson. Together they were blessed with a daughter, Rebecca.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Gail; a daughter, Rebecca (David Sim) Samson, Ironwood; a son, Mason (Janet Kinney) Samson, and their son, Ora, Rives Junction; a daughter, Polly (Murl) Shaver, and their daughter, Kati Warfield, Needles, Calif .; three stepsons, Mark (Carol) Malone, Muskegon, Scott (Joanne) Carlson, and children, Casey and Marissa, Ironwood, and John (Heather Albrecht) Carlson, and daughter, Layla, Edgerton, Wis .; two stepdaughters, Deborah Malone, Elkhart, Ind., and Stacy (Stacey) Miller, and children, Jacob and Laura, Ironwood; a sister, Sylvia Lockart, Rose City; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Ruth) Johnson, Wakefield, Sandy Johnson, Fenton, Janet (Randolph) Kusch, Muskego, Wis., and Susan (Daniel) Jurakovich, Bessemer; and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Kyle Mason Samson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leslie and Eunice Johnson; his brother-in-law, Keith Johnson; and a nephew, Timothy Johnson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, with the Rev. Francis J. Strong officiating. Also in attendance will be the Michigan State Police Honor Guard.

Lunch will be served in the Kastman Hall of Sharon Lutheran Church following the service.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Aspirus Grand View Hospital and the Aspirus Wausau (Wis.) Hospital for their kindness and loving care that was given to Ed during his stays there.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.