Edward C. Benedict, Sr., 80, of Fairfield, IA died Friday, August 22, 2014 at the Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, IA after a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born October 6, 1933 in Keokuk, IA the son of Frank and Garnet Schaffer Benedict. On August 7, 1955 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Alberts in Keokuk. She survives. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 where he achieved the rank of Specialist 3rd Class. Ed was very talented and excelled at anything he tried. He enjoyed woodworking, painting, writing poetry and studying his bible. Before moving to Fairfield he was a member of the Salvation Army where he was always ready to volunteer for any job needing done. He also taught the adult Sunday school class. Ed was employed by Keokuk Steel Castings, AMI Pipe and Supply and Glaser-Crandell Company in Mattawan, MI. Besides his wife he is also survived by three sons, Edward Benedict Jr. and his wife Barbara of Keokuk, Frank Benedict and his wife Jill of Winfield, IA, Michael Benedict and his wife Lucy of Fairfield, one daughter Kim Schlatter and her husband Mike of Kahoka, 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, two brothers, Joe Benedict of Edina, MO, and John Baxter of Keokuk, two sisters, Jackie Winn and her husband Bill of Keokuk and Vesta Todd and her husband John of Cedar Rapids, three brothers in law, Marvin Alberts Sr., Roger Schulz, and Milburn Holmes and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, step parents Bill and Alice Baxter, one brother and three sisters. Funeral services were held 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 27th, 2014 at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk. Burial with military rites was in the Keokuk National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.