Edwin W Yerdon Sr's Obituary
On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, Edwin Yerdon, Sr. passed away surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind 99 years of memories. He was a father, grandpa, great-grandpa, a WWII veteran—fighting in the Battle of the Bulge with two Bronze Stars—and one of the toughest, kindest men you’d ever meet.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation in Ed's honor on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, from 11:00 a.m. until a Celebration of Life beginning at 1:00 p.m. Placement in Memorial Gardens Cemetery will immediately follow.
Ed worked hard his whole life, growing up on a farm, joining the army, and running bars in New York and Florida, where he never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. He was famous for his legendary Yerdon burgers, and if you ever had one, you knew it was made with the same heart and grit that defined him. The Outpost Bar was more than just a business—it was a place where he made lifelong friends, and he loved each and every one of them.
He believed in a firm handshake, an honest day’s work, and taking life as it comes. But more than anything, he believed in love. The love he shared with his wife, Dorothy, was something rare and beautiful—one for the ages. They had years of adventures together before she passed in 2003, and now, they’re finally reunited.
Ed is survived by his son, Edwin Yerdon, Jr.; stepdaughter, Danielle Burke (Gary); grandchildren, Brandi Yerdon, Christin Mason (AJ), Joey Yerdon, Kimberly Burke, Rebecca McGuire, and Heather Pethick; great-grandchildren, Jaidah Estep, Zaiden Lozano, Gavin Brindley, Taylor Mason, Colton Mason, Brooklyn Mason, Abigail Burke, Tristan McGuire, Hayden McGuire, Jackson McGuire; Kylee Howdeshell, Kinley Howdeshell, and Noah Pethick; sister, Juanita; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in passing by the love of his life, Dorothy Yerdon; daughter, Debra Yerdon; stepdaughter, Cathy Sprague (stepdaughter); parents, Walter and Mabel Yerdon; and siblings, Harold, Sally, Walter, Bert, and William.
He will remain in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know him, and in the minds of all those he taught about life and helped raise. His boots may be empty, but his spirit sure ain’t gone. We’ll keep his stories alive, raise a glass in his honor, and carry on the lessons he left us.
Rest easy, Grandpa—you’ve earned it. 💜
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