Eddington Fire Company Mourns Longtime Member Ed Wheat

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The Eddington Fire Company paid its final respects to life member Edwin M. Wheat with a funeral procession of fire vehicles on Friday.

The fire company announced Wheat's death in a Facebook post on May 13 of its past president and chief engineer. The 67-year-old Croydon resident had more than 45 years of service with the fire company.

Wheat was born in Philadelphia to the late Edwin and Matilda “Tillie” (Socki) Wheat and was a resident of Croydon for the last 43 years and formerly of Bensalem, according to his obituary.

He was a longtime member of the Eddington Fire Co. Station No. 28, serving as firehouse photographer, past president, treasurer, and secretary. He had been the fire company's current chief engineer.

He also enjoyed taking trips to Wildwood, N.J., and always looked forward to visiting Maine every year with his wife of 49 years Claire.

Wheat is survived by his four children, Claire Scutt (Fiancé Josh Hannel), Edwin Wheat (Whitney), John Wheat and Robert Wheat; His sister: Karen L. Ferich (Jeffrey); grandchildren: Jeremiah Scutt, Jr (Lauren), Kyler Scutt (Fiancé Geena Howell) and Skylar Helms and nephews, Stephen Ferich, and Andrew Ferich (Eliakim) and many other loving family members and friends.

The fire company thanked those who came out to support them during Wheat's funeral on Friday, including the Union Fire Company, Cornwells Fire Company, Croydon Fire Company, Feasterville Fire Company, Newport Fire Company, Trevose Fire Company, Nottingham Fire Company, Bensalem Fire Rescue, and the Bensalem Township Police Department.

"Some companies helped with the flag details, some helped with covering our station, some sent a truck, others sent members and others just stopped to pay their respects to a great guy a man of honor, respect, and dedication not only to his family friends but to the Eddington Fire Company and fire service in Bensalem Township," the fire company said in a Facebook post over the weekend. "He will be missed. RIP Ed Wheat and watch over us as we continue following in your footsteps."