Obituary of Edward N. Kanive
Edward N. Kanive, Jr.
“Ed”
“Oddie”
“the Fruitman”
At the age of 67, Ed Kanive passed away peacefully at his home. He went to sleep with what he thought was just a touch of the flu, and he woke up in the presence of the Lord. We did not expect this would be the last time we would say, “Goodnight”. Ed was a graduate of Roncalli High School in Aurora, attended the University of Wisconsin and was a lifelong diehard Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks fan. He was the former owner of Joliet Rentals for over 35 years, with his father, and then continued after his father passed away. Ed loved owning and operating the Evergreens of Elwood Tree Farm/Fruits of Elwood U Pick Orchard for the past 20 years.
Hard work, personal accomplishments and personal relationships made for a complete day and was what “the Fruitman” was known for. Ed was legendary as the confident and competent “Steak Cooker” at Malnar’s Tap where many a steak dinners were enjoyed from 1990 until 2000. Ed lived by the Golden Rule “to treat everyone as he himself would like to be treated”.
As Ed has said many times, and what he would say to you today, he would have liked to thank all of his loyal employees and customers, past and present, at Joliet Rentals and Evergreens of Elwood Tree Farms who without them he couldn’t have been a success. Ed would have gone on to express his profound gratitude and appreciation to the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX, Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, which would also include the many nurses, staff, doctors and especially the transplant team. It’s hard to believe on May 13, 2017 Ed was given 8 months of quality life of which he was eternally grateful.
He was preceded by his father, Edward N. Kanive Sr. (2006).
Ed is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Lillian (nee Malnar) Kanive of Elwood; three sons, Doug (Georgia) Kanive of Joliet, Dr. Edward J. (fiancé Natalie Tretowicz) Kanive of Oak Lawn and Andrew (Elizabeth Kiser) Kanive of Elwood; one daughter, Missy (Nick Perry) Kanive of Marseilles, IL, one step son Mark (Kristina) Weis, Esq. of Bettendorf, IA; five grandchildren, Gina Kanive, Caden and Alexis Kanive-Perry, and Miranda and Samantha Weis; his loving mother, Rosemary (nee Oros) Kanive of Aurora; one brother, Tim (Mary) Kanive of Joliet; and one sister, Karlene Anderson of Aurora. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Funeral services for Edward N. Kanive, Jr. will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 12 Noon at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. As it was Edward’s request, cremation rites will be accorded following his funeral services and final interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, and because of Ed’s love for animals, the family requests memorials to P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park, 8301 W. 191st Street, Tinley Park, IL 60487, in his memory. Visitation will be Friday, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 am until time of service at 12 Noon. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
