A Heart Devoted to the Craft
Ed Stover wasn’t just a member of the Masonic brotherhood; he lived its principles passionately for 53 years. He joined the Masons before our marriage in 1970 and became a member of the Scottish Rite in 1972. One of his greatest privileges was sharing this journey with his father, Victor Stover, as they became 32° Masons together in Grand Rapids.
Ed served as Master of the Berrien Springs Lodge in 1976 and was named Mason of the Year in 1986. He also served as Master of Lakeshore Lodge No. 298 in 1993. Ed loved participating in the degrees and deeply valued the lessons each one taught. His favorite was the 23rd Degree, which he affectionately referred to as the “Indian Degree,” and he was proud to serve as its director.
From 1987 to 1989, Ed traveled with our daughter, Kristin, during her involvement in Job’s Daughters. She made her father especially proud when she was crowned Honor Queen in September 1987.
Ed received one of the greatest honors of his Masonic life when he was invested with the 33° in Boston on August 31, 1993. Achieving this distinction had been a lifelong dream, and he cherished the fellowship of the many Masons who had reached this milestone before him.
Years later, a surprise package arrived in the mail. I cannot adequately describe how happy Ed was to receive a commemorative brass plaque engraved with his name, recognizing 50 Years of Brotherhood with the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Valley of Michigan, in 2022.
Ed passed away in September 2023 and was honored with full Masonic rites at his memorial service. His love for Freemasonry ran deep, and the fraternity remained an important part of his life until the very end.
Submitted by: Janet Stover