Edward "ED" Soris

Edward “Ed” Richard Soris, 89 years young, reeled in his last big catch and headed Home to the Lord on February 27, 2025, surrounded by loving family members who couldn’t bribe him with one more pizza to stay. A man of rock-solid faith, Ed was a “Fisher of Men.” You may have found one of his scattered John 3:16 coins in Lowes and Walmart parking lots. He was always fishing for souls through his coin drops to make heaven more crowded. You could find Ed on any given day fishing Lake Hamilton with that top-secret purple worm he only gave to “special” friends and family (which everyone he met ended up getting them!) Ed spent his career working at Northern Illinois Gas Company, working with farmers, building trust to purchase easements while turning handshakes into true friendships over coffee and bad jokes. Ed would spend his Sundays when younger at Lucky 50, hold holiday Lithuanian Kigali contests with his brother Rich and sisters Marianne and Dorothy—who’ve got the heavenly pizza oven already fired up for him. Ed cherished his devoted wife Carolyn, three daughters, Pam, Patti (deceased) and Penny, eight grandkids, four great-grandkids, and twelve nieces and nephews, always sharing his witty signature love-line with them: “I never did like you, but I sure do love you.” If you heard that, you definitely made the Ed Cut. Retirement meant more time making pizzas and catching fish on Lake Hamilton, doling out slices and fish to neighbors, medical staff, and anyone with a pulse. Ed proudly served as a Chaplain for the Honor Guard at VFW Post 2278 in Hot Springs. He also loved his brothers and sisters at Grace Bible Church, where he’d been a fixture for 15 years and attended Bible studies and men’s breakfast meetings. Ed loved serving the Lord, and probably even slipped a John 3:16 silver plastic coin into St. Peter’s pocket on his way through the pearly gates. We’re deeply saddened to lose Ed, but we rejoice knowing he’s pain free in our Savior’s arms —likely arguing about with the angels what the best bait for bass fish is. See you later Ed. We liked you AND we sure did LOVE you. Services will be at 2:00PM Sunday, March 2nd at Grace Bible Church with Pastor Mark Goad officiating. Visitation will start at 1:00PM until service time. All donations go to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org) an organization that helps fallen first responders and military veterans’ families.

Edward "ED" Soris

February 13, 1936 - February 27, 2025