Edward "Ed" Leo Uppenkamp, Sr., 88, of Celina, passed away Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, at Vancrest of St.Marys.

He was born February 22, 1938 in Celina, Ohio, the son of the late Leo and Catherine (Heyne) Uppenkamp. On April 4, 1957, he married Janet Marie (Klingshirn) Uppenkamp, who preceded him in death on December 24, 2022.

He is survived by 2 sons, Edward Uppenkamp, Jr., Columbus, Ohio, and Rick (Therese) Uppenkamp, Celina, Ohio; 5 grandchildren, Jamie (Zakarij) Wright, Rebecca Uppenkamp, Erin (Austin) Abels, Nicole (Patrick) Schwartz, and Keith (McKenzie) Schwartz; 14 great grandchildren; his beloved companion, Karen Messner; and 2 sisters, Barbara Williams and Karen Brandehoff.

In addition to his parents and late wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert "Shorty" Uppenkamp, and his siblings Paul Uppenkamp and Rosalyn Fahncke.

He was a 1956 graduate of Coldwater High School, after which he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, carrying that sense of duty throughout his life. He spent his career in the trucking industry, later starting Mid-Pike CDL. He found joy in the simple things - playing cards and dice with family and friends, operating equipment, and most of all, giving his great-grandchildren endless tractor and golf cart rides and treating them to ice cream whenever he could. His steady presence, generous heart, and love of family will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at St. Rita's Medical Center and Grand Lake Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Ed.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grand Lake Hospice of St. Rita's Medical Center.

Arrangements are under the directions of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta, where condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.