Edward Virgil Batt

Edward “Ed” Virgil Batt, 85 of Defiance, Ohio passed away peacefully in his home Friday, Feb 17th after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

Ed was born on September 15th, 1937, in Defiance Ohio to Virgil and Rosa Batt. He graduated from Sherwood Delaware High School in 1955 and proudly served our county in the U.S. Army from 1961-1965. He was a member of St John’s Catholic Church in Defiance Ohio. 

Ed, who often referred to himself as “Mr. Ed,” worked at Johns Manville until his retirement after 45 years of employment. Ed and his loving companion, Laurel spent their retirement years traveling to Germany, Rome, Alaska, Ireland, and Hawaii living life to its fullest. 

Ed dedicated his life to supporting others through Alcoholics Anonymous as a sponsor and visiting local meetings. He loved farming, cutting wood and riding his bike, especially at Defiance Riverside Cemetery. He spent many years each morning at the Defiance YMCA, where he would swim laps in the pool and converse with the many friends he made there. He enjoyed many years living on the Auglaize River watching the birds, squirrels, and various forms of wildlife. 

Ed was preceded in death by his, parents Virgil and Rosa Batt, his sisters, Valetta Keeterle and Rosemary Meyer and  Grandson Michael Jorkos. 

He is survived by his loving fiancé of 38 years, Laurel Minck, his daughter Shelli   (George) Jorkos of Stryker , his son Larry (Annette) Batt of Defiance  as well as Laurels daughter Linda (Brian) Miller of Antwerp  and son, Michael ( Candy) Minck of Grover Hill . Ed and Laurel have 18 Grandchildren and 32 Great Grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton Street) in Defiance, with a rosary service beginning at 2:00 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at St. Isadore Catholic Church, with Fr. Anthony Batt officiating. Burial will follow the service at the church cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff members of Glenn Park and Elara Caring Hospice for the outstanding care and compassion given to Ed. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to one of the Local Defiance Alcoholics Anonymous Groups or Elara Caring Hospice Foundation.