Harold Edward "Ed" Rohling, Jr.

Harold Edward Rohling Jr., 71, died Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the KU Med Center in Kansas City, Kansas after a short illness.

The son of Harold Edward and Sarah A. Jones Rohling Sr., Ed, or Eddie, as he was known to his family and friends, was born at Wichita, Kansas on July 14, 1949.  He was raised in the White City, Kansas area, attended school there and graduated from White City High School with the Class of 1967.

Ed was united in marriage with Carol Jean “Jeannie” Robison at the Wilsey Christian Church, Wilsey, Kansas, on November 14, 1970.  To this union were born two sons: Dale E. Rohling and David M. Rohling.

After his graduation, Ed attended junior college at El Dorado, Kansas before taking a job with the Manhattan, Kansas Fire Department.  He was also employed by an ambulance service in Manhattan.  Ed then worked for the Fairmont Creamery in Council Grove, Kansas before relocating to Emporia, Kansas where he was employed, as a maintenance mechanic and as a maintenance supervisor for more than forty years with IBP (Iowa Beef Processors) and Tyson Foods.

Ed was a man who worked hard, but he wasn’t all about work.  He had several enjoyable hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and gardening.  With his gardening he especially liked growing tomatoes and green beans, and while he enjoyed the produce ‘in season,’ he also helped with the canning to make these food items available in the middle of the winter.

Ed was a man who could accomplish almost anything he set his mind to and repair almost anything that wouldn’t perform as intended.  From electrical to plumbing, carpentry to mechanics, welding to appliance repair, he could do it all.  And many are those who benefited from his knowledge and abilities.

Known to some of his friends and family, variously, as the Gentle Giant, the Big Guy, or Vader, Ed was incredibly strong and yet, at the same time, gentle, quiet, patient and kind.  He loved his family and was always there for them.

Along with his wife and sons, Ed is survived by his mother Sarah A. Rohling of Maple Hill, Kansas; his sister Janis Rowland and her husband Frances of Maple Hill; his brother Keith Rohling and his wife Karen of Hutchinson, Kansas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Edward Rohling Sr. and his brother Arlo Fredrick Rohling.

Cremation is planned.  The family will receive friends at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia, Kansas, Wednesday evening, July 14, 2021 from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM.  Private family services will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established with the Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Contributions may be sent to the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 668601

Condolences may be sent to the family online through the funeral home website: www.robertsblue.com