Edward Van Tassel, 87 of Stewartville, died peacefully at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

Edward was born August 27, 1924 in Whitehall Wisconsin where he grew up and attended local schools.  He served in WWII in the 82 ^nd Airborne Division Glider Infantry.

Edward married Lavina Blackburn on August 27, 1947.  The couple raised their family in Wisconsin before moving to Rochester about forty years ago.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was a commercial artist and owned and operated Edward Signs in Rochester and Stewartville.

Edward will be missed by his wife Lavina, two sons, Mark (Katie) Van Tassel and Todd (Debbie) Van Tassel both of Rochester; a daughter, Julie Gettman of Snowmass Colorado, 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and a sister, Bea Van Tassel of Whitehall WI.  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rita Willhite and a brother, George Van Tassel.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM Friday, May 18, 2012 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, officiated by Father Charlie Collins, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be from 5:00PM – 8:00PM, Thursday, May 17, 2012 in the River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Friday.  Burial will take place at a later date in Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin.

On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.