Westphalia Edmund Joseph Thelen passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, June 6, 2011 at the age of 95. Surviving are his wife, Lillian of 69 years; children Joyce (Carl) Wohlfert of Monument, CO, Gary (Rosie) Thelen of Lansing, MI, Janice (Marv) Weber of Pewamo, MI, Sharon (Tony) Hengesbach of Westphalia, MI, Glenn (Linda) Thelen of Wyoming, MI, Diane Fedewa of Lansing, MI, Thomas (Kim) Thelen of Westphalia, MI; 24 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Maybelle Thelen of Westphalia; many nieces and nephews. Ed is preceded in death by his sisters Eva Simon, Clara Knoop; brothers Alfred, Otto, and Gregor Thelen. Ed was born on August 6, 1915, the son of George and Anna (Koenigshnecht) Thelen of Westphalia, where he grew up on the homestead farm which he later bought when he married Lillian Wieber on May 6, 1942. Ed was a member of St. Mary's Church his entire life; he was an active member of the church choir as well as many other parish groups. Ed was a hardworking farmer, he also worked at the State of Michign, retiring after 10 years of service. Ed and Lillian spent 26 summers at their beloved Jordan Lake cottage where they enjoyed entertaining, fishing, and relaxing. Ed was skilled in woodworking and proudly built many grandfather clocks for the family and friends. Ed was known for his love of music, and was self taught, he was able to play many instruments, he entertained locally for over 75 years, first with a string band known as Louie and the Western Entertainers. He then kept very busy performing at weddings with the Thelen's Orchestra for many years. Later in life, Ed, Lillian and the Singalongers brought smiles to the faces of many residents at various nursing homes with their music. The Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be celebrated by Rev. James Conlon at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m., Tuesday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia St., Westphalia. The rosaries will be prayed at 8 p.m., Tuesday and 3 and 8 p.m., Wednesday. Arrangements are with the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland. Online condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com.