Ed Fravel

SIOUX CITY | Fred "Ed" Fravel, 76, of Sioux City, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, at an Omaha hospital.

A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m., Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd., in Sioux City, with the Rev. Tess Panamarrow officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by an Elks Empty Chair service, all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Ed, the son of Fred K. and Ethel Leonora (Zerbe) Fravel, was born on Aug. 27, 1940, in Colome, S.D. At a young age, Ed's family moved to Ponca, Neb. He attended school in Ponca and graduated from Ponca High School in 1957.

In 1959, Ed was united in marriage to Sandy K. Blom at Riverside Lutheran Church. To this union two boys, Scott and Greg, were born. The family made their home in Sioux City. Ed worked in the auto industry until 1967, then I.B.P. for 18 years. In 1984, he joined Champion Paper, later Stone Container, then Smurfit Stone Container, retiring on Jan. 1, 2006.

In 2000, Ed married Sandi Criss Beaubien and he welcomed her two children, Bobbi Jo and Craig, into his life.

Ed was a Christian and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, a Shriner, a Mason and Elks Lodge member all in Sioux City. He was actively involved as a Red Cross volunteer and a Republican Central Committee member. He was a founding father for the Sioux City youth football program which he started in 1974. He enjoyed fishing and took several trips to Alaska, Lake Erie and the Dams in South Dakota. In addition, he enjoyed playing cards with friends and family especially the grandkids, and throwing a few practical jokes along the way.

Ed is survived by his wife, Sandi; two sons, Scott (Kelly) Fravel and Greg (Lisa) Fravel; stepdaughter, Bobbi Jo (Don) Shiu; stepson, Craig (Krissy) Beaubien; grandsons, Brandon (Tiffany) Fravel, Kellen Fravel, Corey (Michaela) Fravel, Xavier Shiu, and Conrad Shiu; granddaughter, Sheylee Stowers; great-grandson, Camden Fravel; siblings, Leonora Eastling, Bonnie (Mike) Pope, and Dewain (Pat) Fravel; and a niece, Joan Peyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Blake Fravel; and one brother-in-law, Bill Eastling.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of choice in honor of Ed.