Ulric Edwin Vihlen (Ed), 94, of Apopka, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 26th, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Ed was a true native Floridian, loving husband and father, successful businessman and a respected Navy Veteran. He was a quiet and kind gentleman, holding the highest integrity in business and in family life.

Ed was born October 3rd, 1926 in Miami, Florida. He was the fifth of seven children to parents Sadie and Ed Vihlen, Sr., pioneers of the Homestead/Redlands community. After graduating high school, Ed enlisted in the Navy at just eighteen years of age. During War World II, he saw combat in the Pacific aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, a CV-31 Aircraft Carrier. He fought courageously in the last few battles of the war. After he returned from World War II, Ed studied Engineering at the University of Miami. Shortly after graduating, he was re-activated to serve our country again during the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS St Paul, a heavy cruiser known as a CA-73. After returning from the Korean War, Ed and his brother Siegfried (Bert) opened the construction company "The Vihlen Brothers." One of his first projects was building the home in which he raised his family in the Redlands, near Homestead.

While Ed took pride in serving his country, his true passions were construction and architecture. The Vihlen Brothers built custom, luxury homes throughout Miami. Many of their homes were featured in national magazines and received industry accolades such as the Most Outstanding
Concrete Structure in Florida in 1975 and 1979, and the Southeast Aurora award for the Most Coveted Symbol of Building and Design in the Home Building Industry in 1988. Three of their homes were on the popular TV series Miami Vice.

Ed was also a family man. With his first wife, Emma, Ed became the proud father of Mike and Kim. Ed's strong character was evident in his care for Mike, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. After Emma's sudden passing, Ed continued to care for Mike for many years. In 1977, Ed began a new chapter in life, marrying again and becoming a father twice more. His
wife Florence Weeks (Flo) and children Mary Jo and Edwin adored Ed's caring disposition and quick wit. Ed thoroughly enjoyed his children and relished every moment he spent with them including driving them to 5 AM competitive swimming practice weekly. He attended every swim meet and volunteered as a swimming official to further participate in his children's love of swimming, building a reputation as a respected official.

Ed was also dedicated to the South Florida community and his passion for making a difference for the disabled. He served on the Board of Directors for the Sunrise Community, adopting their causes as his own and promoting dignified, respectful and compassionate treatment for those with disabilities.

A favorite hobby of Ed's was making his famous guava jelly. Easy to grow in the Redlands, guavas were a delicacy to many. Through an arduous (and what most describe as a downright stinky) process, Ed made dozens of jars at a time. He would donate most of his famous guava jelly to his church, except for the 200 jars he made for Mary Jo's wedding favors. Ed continued
to make guava jelly for friends and family until the end of his life and passed his recipe on to his children.

About the time Ed moved from the Redlands to Apopka, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Frustrated initially, Ed adapted and replaced his favorite pastime of hunting with the annual Walk for Parkinson's fundraising walks. He loved the tradition but more importantly he loved raising awareness for Parkinson's Disease by talking with friends and neighbors.

Ed is preceded in death by parents Edwin and Sadie Vihlen, first wife Emma Esther Engel, brothers Bert, Fred, Donald and Jack and sister Lydia Knox. He is survived by his loving wife, Florence Vihlen and brother Hugo Vihlen. He is also survived by children Kim (Jim) Mertes, Mike Vihlen, Mary Jo (Kris) Tietig, and Edwin (Brie) Vihlen, grandchildren Emily (Robert) King, Von and Layla Tietig, and Colin Vihlen, and great- grandchildren Savannah and Hunter King.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Ed may be sent to the Parkinson Association of Central Florida (parkinsoncf.org).

Funeral Services will be on Thursday, September 2nd at 11:00am at the DeGusipe Funeral Home in Maitland. For those wishing to attend virtually, please following this link at the time of service: https://www.facebook.com/DeGusipeFH/ .

There will be a Celebration of Life for family and family following the Funreal Service at the Tietig Residence, 205 Echo Hollow Way, Oviedo.

Interment on Friday, September 3rd at 10:30am at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

The family of Ed Vinhlen invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.