Edward J. Ferda of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday evening, November 2, 2010, following a four month illness, in the Ponca City Regional Medical Center in Ponca City, Oklahoma, at the age of 76 years.

Edward J. Ferda was born on February 24, 1934, on the family farm near Renfrow, Oklahoma, to Rudolf and Emily (Krejsek) Ferda. He grew up on the farm attending rural Grant County schools before graduating from Caldwell High School in Caldwell, Kansas, in 1952. Following his education he began working for the Renfrow Coop prior to his entry into the United States Army where he served with the occupational forces following World War II. Following his discharge he moved to a farm northwest of Blackwell and began his farming and registered Angus cattle operation. He married Angeline Simunek on October 20, 1956, in Hennessey, Oklahoma, and they settled on the farm. She preceded him in death on October 28, 2004, and he continued his livestock and farming business. He married Cheryle Hiebert on December 19, 2007, in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and they made the farm their home. He attended the Nardin First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Elk's Lodge, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also held membership in the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association, Oklahoma Angus Association and the American Angus Association where he received an award for operating a continuous registered Angus herd for fifty years. He served on the Bethel School Board and the Blackwell Coop Board for several years. He enjoyed attending flea markets and woodworking and especially enjoyed creating crafts for the church bazaars and family. He also had a love for polka music and he, his wife Cheryle, along with his brother Rudy and wife Irene, were featured dancers on the Big Joe Polka Show in Branson, Missouri. He was a huge supporter of the youth in Kay County in their agricultural pursuits, including the construction of the Kay County Jr. Livestock Show barn in Newkirk. He loved his family and had an endearing sense of humor that family and friends came to admire and will greatly miss.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryle Ferda of Blackwell; a son, Eddie Ferda and wife Linda of Blackwell; two daughters, Jaylene Soulek and husband J. D. of Nardin, Oklahoma, and Annette Burke and husband Mike also of Nardin; a step-daughter, Tracie Smith and husband Eric of Texhoma, Oklahoma; two brothers, Otto Ferda and wife Janice and Rudy Ferda and wife Irene both of Medford, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Trenten Burke and wife Danielle of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Jay Soulek and wife Kim of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Jaron Soulek of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Mika Burke of Nardin, Oklahoma; step-grandchildren, Ethan, Tanner, Kyler and Brody Smith of Texhoma, Oklahoma, Joey Handy and wife Stacie of Wichita Falls, Texas, Cindy Bunney and husband Paul of Blackwell, and Ryan Penka and wife Cassandra of Blackwell; and several step-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and a granddaughter, Trisha Burke.

Services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 6th in the Nardin First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Jones of Nardin First United Methodist Church and Rev. Robert Foos of First United Methodist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military rites performed by the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Serving as casketbearers will be Jay Soulek, Jaron Soulek, Trenten Burke, Mika Burke, Ryan Penka and Ethan Smith. Ruth Ann Hiebert, Wheeler and Betty Cobb will serve as honorary casketbearers.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Blackwell High School Woodshop Class in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.