Edgar Lee Boulter

Edgar Lee Boulter, 96 years old, went home to be with his Lord on May 12, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Edgar was born on Friday the 13th in July of 1928 near Coats Gove, Michigan.  He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Woodland High School, Class of 1947.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 and served at bases in Texas, Wyoming, New York, New Jersey, and Maine. He was extended for the Korean War and mustered out from Maine in 1952 as a Master Sergeant. He still remembered his radar codes.

In 1948, he married Beverly Morgan of Hastings.  They had five children: Kerry, Kevin, Keena, Kimi, and Kirk Boulter. After the Air Force, they moved to Lansing, where Edgar worked at the Oldsmobile plant. In 1956, they moved to Hastings. Edgar worked for Consumers Energy for 34 years. He trimmed trees, cut wood, and worked part-time at Joe Daniels Shell Station. After retiring the first time in 1990, he went back as a gas line inspector for Consumers until 2003, retiring at 75.

Edgar was an outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt locally, and for many years hunted out west with the Sheffers.  He loved the U.P. and enjoyed backpacking with guys from church. He was always up for any camping trip—truck camper, popup camper, trailer, and fifth wheel—he tried them all.

A man of strong faith, he served at Hope Church for over 65 years as a Sunday school teacher, bus ministry bus driver, a trustee, and board member. Always willing to do whatever he was asked to do. After retirement, he volunteered at Red Bird Mission in Kentucky for several years.

In 1974, Edgar married Janet Palmatier and added 3 more children to the family – Scott, Tim, and Amy Palmatier of Hastings. The Hastings home was sold in 1975 to purchase a 230-acre farm near Freeport. This put all 8 children in the Lakewood School District.  It also meant farm chores, school sports, school activities, fair, and 4-H projects, church youth groups, family camping, birthdays, and holidays. He was a hands-on dad through it all. By 1980, they had all graduated and on to college, military service, careers, and the weddings began, followed by grandchildren.

Edgar was gifted in lots of practical ways and a new house, barn, and workshop garage went up on Sisson Road. Percheron draft horses were added along with the first of 21 grandchildren.

Edgar loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Holland on farm tours. Then onto England, Ireland, and Scotland. Trips to Alaska, Canada, and out east to Maine. Trips to Branson for the music, trips to the U.P. to count the boats.

The final years have been spent enjoying his ever-growing family and lifelong friends. Edgar was a loving and devoted husband, a fair and supportive father, and the best grandpa ever. Edgar said he lived a "blessed" life. His family considers him their biggest blessing. He will be so missed.

Edgar was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph and Oliver, Jr., sisters Ruby (Dave) Bolton and Janice (Ogal) Jordan, sister-in-law Joyce Denny Boulter, daughter Kimi Sorenson, grandsons Trevor Boulter and Josh Boulter.

Edgar leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Janet, sons Kerry (Chong Suk), Kevin (Annette), Kirk (Cindy), Scott (Mi Suk) and Tim (Julie), daughters Keena (Amad), and Amy (Chris), 22 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, at Noon, with a visitation one hour prior at 11:00 AM, at Hope United Methodist Church, 2920 S M-37, Hastings, MI 49058, luncheon and interment to follow. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.