Edward Theodore Harbath, age 91, of Navarino, passed from this life to the next on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Appleton. Ed was born on January 6, 1932, to the late Theodore and Mary (Brei) Harbath.

After graduating from Clintonville High School with the class of 1950, Ed was drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon completing training, as an operating room technician, at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado, Ed was stationed in Korea where he served with a MASH unit. Returning home, he began working as an orderly at the Clintonville Hospital, it was there that he met Connie M. Weinig, who was a registered nurse at the hospital. On September 19, 1959, Ed and Connie were united in marriage at Peace United Church of Christ, in Shawano. Initially, Ed and Connie had a home at Clover Leaf Lakes. In 1970 they moved their young family to Navarino so that Ed would be closer to his new job at Appleton Medical Center, where he worked until retirement. Ed enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved gardening, fishing and hunting, playing softball, pitching horseshoes, and was also an avid bowler. He further enjoyed playing cards with his buddies at the local tavern. In retirement, he loved to see and visit with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, while also continuing to enjoy his two cans of beer each day.

Ed is survived by his loving children; Laurie (Bob) Wilkinson, Jim (Lisa) Harbath and Mark (Victoria) Harbath; grandchildren, Trevor Wilkinson, Joe (Katheryn), Amy (Ben) Koch, Jacob Harbath, Leah Harbath and Brandi (James) Ginnever; great-grandchildren, Lily, Eleanor, Teddy, Brandon, Brooke, James, Nova and Steven; brothers-in-law, Tom (Pat) Weinig and Lee (Elaine) Weinig; and sister, Eileen St. Onge.

Ed is preceded in death by Connie, his wife of 63 years, his parents, his brother-in-law, Don Weinig; and brother and sister-in-law, Clair "Bud" (Dorothy) Harbath, and sister and brother-in-law Lila (Lloyd) Mitchell.

There will be a time of visitation at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 18, 2023, with Ed's son-in-law Rev. Bob Wilkinson officiating and "sky-piloting" a short worship service afterward. A time of remembrance will be held following the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Shawano Health Services for their care of Ed during his recent stay, it soon became his home away from home.in lieu of flowers, the family would also like to thank the Navarino-Lessor First Responders, and any gifts given in memorial will be donated to them .