Edward F. Hornbostel

Memorial Visitation and Celebration Of Life for Edward Francis Hornbostel, 86, of Kildeer, will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. The Interment will be private.

Edward – a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and thoughtful business person – passed away peacefully while being comforted by his wife at The Auberge of Lake Zurich on the evening of Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at approximately 11:50 pm. He was known to many as Ed, Ed Senior, Eddie, Big Ed, The Boss and just Edward when he was in trouble with his dear wife – probably for buying another car.  He will be remembered as:  a great provider for his family, a man who was quietly generous to those in need, an avid car collector, a man who celebrated his inner-child through his penchant for Disney, and an enthusiast of all things with the word train attached.  His enthusiasm for trains was only eclipsed by his predilection for Christmas.

Edward was born at home on December 25, 1935 in Elmwood Park, IL to Arthur Frederick Hornbostel and Amelia Theodora Kramer.  Ed was their sixth child, but the fifth to survive past infancy and the only son.  He joined his sisters, Margaret, Kathryn, Cecilia, and Henrietta.  He attended St. Gertrude’s Catholic School in Franklin Park, IL, where his father was the custodian, until the time of his mother’s death of bone cancer in 1948 at which time he began working to help support his family.

One of Ed’s first jobs was selling newspapers, but he quickly found Sam’s 24-Hour Towing in Franklin Park, IL and began his life-long career.  Ed’s great work ethic and persistence took him from shop assistant to President and owner.  Ed was a knowledgeable mechanic, smart tow driver, and tireless dispatcher.  Ed was no-nonsense, but with a big heart. He had an uncanny ability with numbers and therefore never thought computers were important until very late in life when he discovered he could shop online for his beloved cars and play a train driving game.  Ed’s son, Edward, Jr. joined his father at Sam’s at a very young age and the two worked side-by-side until Ed, Sr. could no longer work, which was just last August.  Until that time, Ed worked six-days a week.

Edward met his wife of 67-years, Veronica, at age 17 when his father ran a lonely-hearts ad and widow Mercedes Freiwald (nee Hapsburg) answered with her three natural-children (twin daughters Theresa and Mercedes (a.k.a. Penny) and son Franz) along with adopted daughter, Veronica, in tow.  Arthur and Mercedes were soon married, and a courtship began between Ed and Veronica (Ronnie).  Ed and Ronnie were married July 2, 1955 at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church.  Over the years, Ed and Ronnie lived in Franklin Park, IL; Mount Prospect, IL; and finally, Kildeer, IL.

Edward was the beloved husband of Veronica E. Hornbostel (nee Freiwald); loving father of Cynthia (David) Mack, Carol (John) Youngs, Karen (Robin) Nielsen and Edward (Lisa) Hornbostel; loving grandfather of Britney, Christopher, William, Ashleigh, Samantha, Tori, Benjamin, Paige, and Olivia; loving great-grandfather of Brandon, Ryan, Stella Faye, and Masten; dear son of the late Arthur and Amelia (Nee Kramer) Hornbostel; fond brother of the late Margaret, Cecilia, Kathryn, and Henrietta.  Edward was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne Marie Hornbostel.