Edwin J. Basler

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