Edgar F. Mahnke, Jr.

Edgar Frederick Mahnke, Jr. "Ed", 84, of Cumming, GA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at his home in Cumming. Ed was born on March 10, 1933, in Berwyn, IL, where he spent most of his youth. During this time he met and befriended his lifelong best friend, George Kobzina, and the two began to create many lifelong adventures and memories together.

After graduating from Morton High School in 1951, Ed attended Valparaiso University for a period of time before joining the US Army in 1953. On November 4, 1953, Ed married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Dorothy Scheck, and the two headed to Pleasanton, CA, where Ed was to be stationed in the Army. Soon after their arrival, Ed was given his orders and reported to Itazuke Air Base in Japan. After the Korean War ended and Ed returned home to Chicago, Ed and Dorothy built their first home in Glen Ellen, IL, and started their family.

Ed joined AT&T in 1955 as a Tool and Die Maker Apprentice. In 1972 he took a promotion to Section Chief and transferred to Atlanta, GA, where he and Dorothy found the home of their dreams on Lake Lanier in Cumming. In 1979, Ed started and built ADMA Inc., a storage facility in Cumming, GA, and he would later go on to create J&L Dock Supply, LLC. At the age of 54, Ed retired from AT&T, but even after working at AT&T for more than 30 years, he was hardly retired, between working on the two businesses he had started, working on his home and spending time with his family he was busier than ever.

Ed's true passion was spending time working at his home on Lanier where he loved to entertain his friends and family. He also enjoyed spending countless hours sitting at the dock fishing with his friends and grandchildren. Over the course of 45 years, Ed transformed his home on Lanier and entertained thousands of guests. His favorite holiday was 4th of July where he spent hours preparing his home for all to come and watch the fireworks. He and Dorothy also enjoyed their time at the beach, often spending the late fall and winter months at Panama City Beach and Bonita Beach, FL with family and friends.

Ed's love, generosity and enthusiasm for life were evident in everything he undertook and everyone's life that he touched. He served as an inspiring example to many, including his five grandchildren, Colleen, Kristen, Christopher, Edgar IV (Erick) and Patrick. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy; his sister, Marilyn Bergmann of Park Ridge, IL; his daughter, Kimberly Mahnke; his daughter, Elizabeth Morrisey and her husband Terry, and his son Edgar Frederick Mahnke III (Jay) and his wife Mary.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 25th, 2017 in the McDonald & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Cumming, GA, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at Polo Golf and Country Club in Cumming, GA.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.