Celebration Services for Edwin J. Basler, 70, of Palatine, IL, will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Christian Life Church, 400 E. Gregory St. Mount Prospect, IL. The Interment will be held privately.
Ed Basler, CEO, husband, father, author, visionary, White Sox fan, lion tamer, Glenbrook North & Luther North Class of 69’, and philanthropist, went to be with Jesus on July 13th, 2022 at 70 years young.
Born on Leader Avenue in Edgebrook Chicago, IL. Ed came into this world on a crisp autumn day full of drive and purpose. He worked at the family business, E. J. Basler Co., a precision machine shop in Schiller Park. Alongside his brothers Dennis and Brian; eventually becoming CEO. Ed was a visionary and a serial entrepreneur starting “Dirt Cheap Rent a Heap”, “Ugly Duckling” both car rental companies, and running a “Grease Monkey” oil-change shop.
While attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Ed fell in love with Jesus Christ marking the beginning of his fruitful walk of faith. A few years later he married the love of his life, Cathi. Together they were an unstoppable union, opening their home to weary souls, starting Faith New Testament Church, bringing in a family of Vietnamese refugees, supporting missionaries, and riding his Harley with the brothers of thunder. They had three kids and adopted a teenager. Cathi and Ed founded Souled Out Ministries and traveled the world sharing the love of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. He was lovingly known as Mr. Ed for a generation in the U.S., to the Bahamas, Central and South America, Europe, Israel, Africa, and Australia.
This beach loving man grabbed life with both hands and was quick to play “Great Balls of Fire” on keys, blast vinyls in his office, offer you a ginger snap, or unexpectedly pick up your tab. He was known for his infectious smile, generous heart, humble attitude, and dad jokes. He loved God, family, friends, baseball, classic diners, cargo shorts, the smell of fresh cut grass, the rolling fields of Iowa, and Cathi’s green eyes. He was a tremendous man who was a father to the fatherless and who chose to love others with all of his being.
Mr. Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathi; son Julian (Christine) Basler; daughters Charlene (Dale Spencer) Basler, Joanne (Justin) Neumaier, Hayley (Elias) Serruya; grandchildren Joseph (11), Julia (9), Jasper (6), and Juniper (2) Neumaier; Elijah (5) and Evelyn (3) Basler; Shai (7), Aviv (4), and Lyla (6 months) Serruya.
In an effort to preserve his legacy, donations to Souled Out Ministries would be encouraged in lieu of flowers to continue to invest in the next generation. Souled Out Ministries P.O. Box 311, 300 W. Central Ave., Mt. Prospect, IL 60067 or paypal info@souledout.net
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Ed Basler was a tremendous friend that loved the Lord Jesus with everything in him, and demonstrated that love to his entire family, company, city and to the nation’s of the world especially Israel. His deep heart of compassion reached the poor and was always a friend even to those who did not share his deep faith. There was no one like my friend Ed Basler and we will all miss him so much but know he is with his Savior the Lord Jesus forever.
Ed Basler was a mighty man of God, full of faith and a kind heart which could be seen even when he was suffering. I have only known Ed and Cathi for just under a year. But when asked by Bob and Rose Weiner to join them in praying for and with Ed and Cathi, I found him to be a man of faith! I would have loved to known him like Bob, but was glad to go to pray with both of them for a few days earlier this year. When some of his friends came by to fellowship with him, Cathi said, “I will take a photo and remember all four of you as the Grey Haired 70’s Club.” I pray for the blessing of the Lord to be richly upon all his children, grandchildren and his beloved Cathi. Ed stepped over to the other side, Wow, what a step, right into the presence of Jesus forever. WE will meet him again one day when we all take that last step from earth and the first step into heaven and the presence of Jesus.
My Great ! Friend and Great man. Ed will be remembered well. Since our college days Ed has remained a steadfast friend & inspiration to me and many like me. God’s blessings for Ed and Cathi and family .. a life well lived my Brother…. JG
Ed, was authentic and his motives were to Glorify God not himself. I really got to know Ed when I around 20 yrs old ( I’m going on 61yrs in a few days) He truly was the first man outside of my father who had a major impact on my life .Ed shined the love of Christ when you were with him and his impact on my life was never forgotten.It took many years for me to surrender but when I finally did I found what Ed had all along.Ive gone to many places over the past decade ( prisons, jails ) and shared the message of God’s love and forgiveness. I’ve witnessed many miracles and almost everytime I think of Ed and how he would smile if he was there.He never gave up on me and I’ve forgotten him.Ed did things for the right reasons when so many don’t. Ed was humble and God’s spirit shined through him.Mother Teresa once said ‘ I’m just a pencil in the hands of God ‘ Well Ed was a pencil in the hands of God and what an amazing story did God write through his life.Oswald Chambers said ” “God will do more through 1 life completely surrendered to him then 100 lives simply awaken by his Spirit ” that life was Ed Basler and to say I will always be grateful that my life crossed his wouldn’t begin to describe how much I feel about him.He will always be in my heart and I will always this brother..God bless Ed and we will meet again ..Mike Calendo
Your care and love live far beyond you, Mr. Ed. All my love, Dev
I am native Israeli. When I was a brand new believer, I was privileged to have been invited to participate in some of the very first few Souled Out Israel tours in Israel the 90’s. I got to personally experience the immense love and care that Ed and Cathi so generously lavished on Israeli young people who were absolutely DESPERATE for joy, freedom, solid faith, unconditional love and true fellowship in Yeshua, in a very politically stressful, spiritually dry land. I was wonderfully blessed to be a part of what Ed and Cathi built. And though I know Ed suffered much these past couple of years and his passing is such a huge loss to so many, I also know he will be interceding with the angels for Israel and it’s young people, even as his legacy lives on in all those he touched… and their children… and generations to come. Thank you Ed and Cathi, for loving Yeshua, loving Israel and loving her young people. Sending love and prayers for you Cathi, and your whole family. May God’s Holy Spirit hover over all of you in comfort. Love Baht and Family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️