Edward "Ed" Sing

Edward George Sing, age 85, of Fountain City, WI, passed away peacefully on September 19 with family by his side. Ed was born on February 18, 1934 in Minneapolis, MN to Eleanor (Mehringer) Sing and Mao Ah Sing. In his early years, his family moved to Fountain City, WI. and made their home there. Ed met the love of his life, Joyce Beck, and they were blessed with 63 years of marriage having united on February 11, 1956, at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Fountain City. To this union four sons were born: Steve, Brian, Mike and Wayne. Ed and Joyce bought and ran the “Sing” Apartments in Fountain City in 1968, then in 1987, they built a new home and moved to Indian Creek. Ed graduated from the Fountain City School in 1952, with 15 members in his class. While a Senior in high school, Ed joined the Naval Air Reserve. Following graduation, he volunteered for the draft in 1953, and served in the US Army being honorably discharged as Sargeant in 1955. He served in Austria for 18 months of his military career. This career led him to meet some of the best friends “Groshens” that served together, and continued to stay in touch having many “Army Buddy” reunions across the US and in Fountain City. In 2001 Ed and Joyce and his Army Buddies travelled back to Austria, touring throughout Switzerland and Italy. Some other highlights of their travel included: Nashville, Branson, Arizona and Las Vegas. One of the most memorable trips was a trip to Lake Powell, Utah, with Ed's siblings and spouses on a timeshare houseboat, a memory they treasure all being together. Ed was also proud to have gone on the Freedom Flight 2018 to Washington DC. Ed was always a hard worker; working many jobs including working on the river for Valley Barge Lines, delivering milk for Marigold Dairies, driving truck, driving a Cat doing dirt work, surveying with Burt Surverying and working for Terry's Electricial Service, Ed and his brother Bob also ran the Standard Station in Fountain City. Ed started his amazing career with the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1960, working as a deckhand on the Dredge Thompson. His hard work, knowledge and ambition guided him through surveying, leverman and then becoming the Pilot of the Dredge for 15 years. Ed was a true river man, having to actually make drawings of the river pools in order to obtain and maintain his Pilot's license. Ed retired in 1990 at age 56. Ed has felt fortunate to enjoy a long retirement enjoying life and making many memories with his wife and family. Ed was very active. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the Fountain City Rod & Gun Club and the Snowmobile Club. He truly enjoyed and respected the Mississippi River, not only working on the river but spending much of his free time enjoying time on the river with family and friends. He was an avid fisherman, walleye fishing in the summer and ice fishing in the winter. Many days were spent with his sons and families fishing, with bologna and crackers for the day. Ed was many times the “first” to cross the ice to go ice fishing, and always knew where the fish were biting – but we were sworn to secrecy! The family pontoon also provided much fun for family and friends on the Mississippi, with Captain Ed. He also loved hunting, duck and pheasant, but especially deer hunting. Being the “Master of the River” and with his vast river knowledge Ed was called upon many times during his retirement to help out on the river, including assisting with the train derailment south of Fountain City. Ed fulfilled a lifelong dream when he drove a houseboat from Fountain City to the Gulf, which was an adventurous two week trip. Others interests and hobbies included 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, playing cards, riding bike, walking, gardening and feeding and watching his birds. Ed was an avid Nascar fan and loved going to the stock car races particularily in Fountain City. Ed also shot pool and played horseshoes. He collected hats from all over and you would rarely see him in the same hat twice. Ed was a very good man, hardworking, generous, caring, accepting and welcoming to all. He was very proud of his family, and enjoyed watching his family grow. When the grandchildren started arriving, Ed bought a camper to spend more time with the grandchildren and provide camping experiences. Ed is lovingly survived by his wife, Joyce, children, Brian (Linda Pinorsky); Mike (Brenda Johnson); Wayne (Irene Kuhn); daughter-in-law Deb (Rob) Merchlewitz; 6 grandchildren: Melissa (Keith) Srock, Jessica (Ron) Merchlewitz, Erica (Andrew) Jantz, Megan (Matt Schmitz) Sing, Kelly (Brad) Oberstadt and Brandon Sing; and 11 great grandchildren; two sisters: Mary Mueller; Francis Burt; one brother, Richard Sing and sister-in-law, Kathy (Bill) Horstman. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Steve Sing; two brothers, Robert Sing, Frank Sing, sisters-in-law: Joani Sing, Rita Sing, Roma Sing; brothers-in-law: Bob Mueller, John Burt; and two nephews: Robert Haag, Jr. and Daniel Burt, niece Renee Earney. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Fountain City, with Pastor Kenley Mann officiating, with visition starting at the church at 10:00. A visition will be held at Talbot Funeral Homes, Alma on Friday, September 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial with full military rights will be held at the Fountain City Public Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers will be Ed's grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Winona Area Hospice nurses and staff for their love and support. Talbot Family Funeral Homes-Alma Chapel is assisting the family. Please share your memories or express your condolences at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.