Melvin “Bud” Monroe Edwards, 89, of Grand Island, formerly of the Ord area, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and Grand Island Honor Guard.

Bud was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Ord to John and Bertha (Meese) Edwards. He was raised in the Ord area and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in Iowa.


On Nov. 3, 1950, he entered the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He was released from active military service after being wounded in action in Kumsong, Korea, in 1952. Bud received several medals including the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Service Star. His military service was important to Bud, and he was involved in Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

An over-the-road truck driver for Chief Industries and Pepsi Co., Bud worked hard and enjoyed woodworking, gardening, assisting others with their projects and volunteering with the VA. As a devout member of the Catholic Church, his passion became making rosaries after retirement. Bud was devoted to contributing these rosaries to several countries in Africa in hopes of enriching the lives of children.

Survivors of the immediate family include his children, Jesse (Shorty) Huffman of Rio Rancho, N.M., Echo (Victor) Sanchez of Alliance, Michael Edwards of Grand Island, Sandy Moberg of Kearney, Lisa Hartzel of Colfax, N.C., Linda Edwards of Staley, N.C. and Amy Edwards of Juliette, N.C.; sisters, Eulalia Edwards of Ord and Bernadette DeNoyer of San Jose, Calif.; 17 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents; son Timothy Edwards; sisters Corrine Lloyd, Cleora Boeker and Permilla Wubbena; son-in-law Don Moberg, and brother-in-law Leonard Edwards.