Edward V. Cosner, Sr., age 82, of Portage, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019. He was born on July 21, 1936 in Wildale, West Virginia to the late Harold and Glenna Cosner. On April 25, 1956, he married Shirley (nee Atkins) Cosner in Osage, WV. Edward was employed as a vending machine repairman. He was a great athlete, a master mechanic and a champion bluegrass fiddle player. He will always be remembered for his generous heart. A Grand Master Fiddling Champion, he taught many students how to play the fiddle and refused to accept payment. One of those students even went on to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley A. Cosner; sons, Edward (Abbey) Cosner, Jr., Gregory Cosner, Larry (Robin) Cosner, Kevin (Angela) Cosner; daughter, Kathleen Meade; 14 grandsons and one granddaughter; brother, Ronald (Sheila) Cosner; special niece, Priscilla Matthews; special nephew, Edgar (Vickie) Cosner.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Harold and Charles Cosner; three sisters, Elanda Leckenby, Mary Lou Tacy and Jewell Debevec; infant sisters, Sylvia, Alice and Jane Cosner.

A private graveside service for Edward will take place at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, 2701 Willowdale Road, Portage. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com .