Edward F. Voorde III

Edward Francis Voorde III, age 61, passed away peacefully in the company of his wife at 5:00pm on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the Ernestine M. Raclin House in Mishawaka, Indiana. Ed’s passing comes after many months of fighting cancer. 

He was born on February 26, 1960 to Edward Francis Voorde II and Elizabeth Voorde in South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from Riley High School in 1978, Ed went to Davenport College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning to South Bend a few years later. Ed went to work as a truck driver at United Beverage Inc. in 1982, where he would go on to build a successful career, and a lifetime of friends and memories. After five years as a truck driver, he transitioned to sales in 1987 where his kindness, affability, and famously large smile served him well. Ed later became the sales manager in 2002, and then vice president of sales in 2008, before retiring in 2020. Ed leaves behind him at United Beverage, a professional legacy of diligence and dedication that is rooted in the countless relationships he created with local businesses owners, workers, colleagues, and community members. Ed was loved by many for the work he did and will always be remembered as the man you can count on to not only deliver you a Budweiser, but share a Budweiser with you—in other words, “The Bud Man.” 

In addition to Ed’s storied professional career, he was an active member of the South Bend community, an avid and competitive golfer, lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, passionate Notre Dame football fan, and cherished member of the South Bend Country Club (SBCC). In Ed’s ideal weekend, he would spend a Friday afternoon golfing at SBCC, a Saturday night at a Notre Dame football game, and then head to Chicago for a Sunday Cubs game. This time would, of course, be spent in the presence of his many friends, and most importantly, his beloved wife. 

After marrying his lifelong love in 2013, Ed spent much of the latter part of his life back in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife and three stepchildren. Transitioning to his unexpected role as a stepfather, Ed decided to forego weekends of golfing, football games, and Budweiser for choir recitals, school plays, volleyball games, and family dinners. And though this role was unexpected, Ed fulfilled it with ease due to his depth of empathy, selflessness, and love. In addition to this time spent with his stepchildren and wife, Ed also devoted much of his time to his beloved mother, who could always count on his love and support. Ed will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his stepchildren, mother, brother, sister, and most of all, his wife, Lori. 

Ed was preceded in death by his father, Edward Francis Voorde II. He is survived by his loving mother, Elizabeth Voorde; his two siblings, Michael A. Voorde and Kathryn M. Barbian (Jerry); his three stepchildren, Samuel, Marijane, and Molly; and his devoted wife, Lori A. Voorde.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Palmer Funeral Home—Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN. Chaplain Trevor Foley will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00-3:00pm on Monday at the funeral home prior to the service. Immediately following the memorial service, a celebration of Ed’s life will be held at South Bend Country Club.

Contributions in memory of Ed may be donated to Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.