Champion – Edward C. Cardew, age 80, longtime Champion resident passed away on Monday March 1, 2010 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming while in the loving care of his family and the Lake Superior Hospice.


Ed was born November 1, 1929 in Ishpeming the son of the late Roy and Evelyn (Galbirth) Cardew. He worked first for the North Range Mining Co. at the Champion Mine for over twenty years, then for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. at the Republic Mine and retired from the Empire Mine in 1991. During his working years Ed also was employed by Hamel Construction and Kosey Logging.


Ed was a Charter Member of the Champion Volunteer Fire Dept. where he had served as Fire Chief. Ed enjoyed gardening, puddering in the garage and was known as "the Champion handy man." He taught his grandchildren many things including auto mechanics. Ed was active in the Horsepulling circle and was a part of the initial group that started the Champion Horsepulling in the early 1950's. Ed enjoyed working in the hay fields on the Carriere Farm. He and his late wife Shirley enjoyed vacationing in Florida and wintered in Melborne, FL during their retirement years.


Survivors include a daughter Betty (William) Levi, and a son Robert (Rona) Cardew both of Champion, 2 sisters – Helen (Jack) Lahnanen and Edith Maki both of Ishpeming, 2 brothers – Lowell (Roberta) Cardew of Ishpeming and James (Sandy) Cardew of Fort Mills, SC, sister-in-law Bernice Cardew of Champion, 4 grandchildren – Erick (Sherry) Cardew of Appleton, WI, Amanda (Jerry Duby) Cardew of Kingsford, Robert Cardew of Appleton, WI, Brandi (Mike) Tasson of Appleton, WI, 6 great grandchildren – Kenny, Abby, Eddie, Zack, Victoria and Benjamin, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley whom he was married to for 54 years, an infant daughter Betty Louise, and 3 brothers – Roy, Russell and Norman Cardew.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 until 4:00pm on Thursday March 4, 2010 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00pm on Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


Pallbearers will be Erick, Kenny and Robert Cardew, Mike Tasson, James Carriere, and Larry Arsenault. Honorary pallbearers will be member of the Champion Volunteer Fire Dept.