Jeremiah Edward May

Jeremiah “Ed” Edward May, 91, of Hendersonville, NC passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

Ed was born in Lima, OH on Sunday, February 1, 1931, to the late Alonzo J. May and Ethel Mahan May.  Ed is also preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Alice (nee Esch) May, his second wife, Edna S. May, his third wife Eva May, and his fourth wife, Elizabeth (nee Searls) May; his brother, Alonzo May Jr; and his brother-in-law Doris James Delbridge.

Ed graduated from Lima, Ohio High School.  He attended Army Medical Academy at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX in 1951 prior to being sent to Korea. Ed received a Certificate of Completion for Diesel Mechanics as well as being an ordained Nazarene Minister for many years.

Ed’s military service was very important to him.  He was inducted into the United States Army on October 1, 1951.   He was assigned to the 46th Surgical Army Hospital as a Medical Technician located between the 38th Parallel and the Demilitarized Zone during the Korean Conflict.

Ed enjoyed a variety of careers throughout his life, including autobody repair and working as a supervisor in the state mental facility in Mt. Pleasant Michigan.  Ed also worked in home improvement while living in Florida.  He worked as a security guard in Findlay, OH before finally retiring.  Ed’s main passion was his ministry.  Throughout his various careers, Ed always returned to his work as a minister as his main passion and focus. He was raised to be a devout Christian by his mother in the Church of the Brethren.  He also attended other denominations including Methodist, Church of Christ, prior to becoming a Nazarene Minister.

Ed loved people.  He loved engaging in community and conversation.  He would speak about whatever came to mind, but mostly, he loved speaking of the Lord and Savior. He loved his family, loved to travel, and loved to be around those who loved the Lord.

Ed is survived by his daughters, Sheila Williams, (Ronald) of Lakeland, FL and Cathryn Speijers, (Steven) of Hendersonville, NC, and son, Mark May, (Rose), Dade City, FL;  stepson, John Searls, Findlay, OH;  grandchildren, Melissa (John) Durden, Keith (Crystal) Flynn, Bethany (Ricky) Morris, Alicia Flynn, Daniel (Jinny) Speijers, Kristopher (Melissa) May, Luke (Carena) Cheever, Jacob May, Lauren (Nick) Knowell; and Jake and Johnny Colding; great-grandchildren, Derrick Durden; Megan and Breanna Morris, Brandon Culver; Ashlyn and Riley Knowell, Robert G. Flynn-Perkins, Xavier Reese Flynn; Carter Jaymes Flynn; Brynleigh Willow Speijers, Delaney North, Ethan May, and Benjamin Cheever;  and siblings, Mary Delbridge of Clermont, FL and Robert (Pixie) May, Bridgewater, VA.  A private service will take place on the Blue Ridge Parkway, including a ride from Looking Glass to Waterrock Knob, commemorating Ed’s love for riding.  A graveside service will take place at Poplar Ridge Cemetery in Defiance County, OH at a later date. 

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