Edward (Ed) James Schmeler, Sr, age 84, of Franklin, Indiana passed away December 25, 2020 at the Indiana Masonic Home.  He was born on May 11, 1936 in Wyandotte, Michigan.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy (Miller) Schmeler; and his sister, Barbara (Schmeler) Burgess.  Ed graduated from Lincoln Park High School located in Wyandotte.  He was previously married to Jacquelina (Orlando) Schmeler (deceased) and they had five children:  Cynthia A (Schmeler) Dahl, Sheri L. (Schmeler) Miller, Edward J. Schmeler, Jr.(Debbie), Kimberly K. (Schmeler) Salisbury (Jeff), and George T. Schmeler (T.G.) (Michelle).  He remarried July 3, 1993 to H. Louise Ford (Means) Schmeler and had five step children:  Gregory D. Means (Jill), Douglas W. Means (Annette), Raymond Michael Means (Pam), Connie L. (Means) Mull (Dan), and Steven Edward Means (Terri).  He had 24 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Ed served for 3 years in the United States Air Force National Guard.  In August of 1967 he was employed by Allison Turbine - Detroit Diesel - Division of General Motors - Plant 8.  At that time he worked with turbine engines, off-road equipment and Greyhound Buses using commercial 404 gas turbine engines on the Proving Grounds in Michigan and Arizona.  He drove Burner Rigs and Compression Rigs cross country and tested them for endurance and other testing.  He was one of very many that worked on the Patriot Missile.

In June 1969 he and his family moved to Indianapolis, where he was transferred.  Around 1995, General Motors was changing ownership.  It took about four years for the transition to Rolls Royce.  Edward was an electrical and mechanical engineer, and also went to other specialty schools for training, until his retirement from Rolls Royce with 32 years of service.  He retired in October of 1999.

Ed enjoyed traveling, boating, swimming and fishing.

He was a member of the Free and Accepted Mason of Southport, Lodge #270 and transferred to Whiteland Lodge #605, the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of FreeMasonry, the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America, National Sojourners, Inc., I.E.A.R., '76 E.I.A.R., and Heroes.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, January 5 from 11:00am - 2:00pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, IN  46143, to be immediately followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm.  Military honors will be performed at the graveside.