Ed Traylor

 

Ed Traylor, 79 of Atwater, passed away Oct. 22, 2023, in Louisiana, while in a boating accident on a fishing trip.

Charles “Ed” Edward Traylor was born on Aug. 22, 1944 to his parents Lee and Betty (Nemeth) Traylor in Springfield.

Ed grew up in a Girard graduating from Girard High School. He went on to earn his B.A. in Social Justice from Sangamon State University in Springfield and also graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA, then they made Carlinville their home.

Ed married Pat McAnarney on July 25, 1964.

Ed was able to retire in 1996 with the rank of Captain after 29 years of service with the Illinois State Police. Throughout those years of dedication to his career, Ed served as patrolman, investigator, investigative supervisor, bureau chief, and staff officer. Though retired,

Ed later served as police chief of Carlinville Police Department, and in 2000, was hired by the Macoupin County Probation Department. Later that same year, he was hired by the state police as a contractual investigator for the Federal Health Care Fraud Task Force under the Department of Justice. He retired from there in June of 2009.

He enjoyed going on fishing trips with friends, and eventually enjoying his passion of becoming an author. He wrote his first novel, The Crossing, in 2015. This book was cited by the Public Safety Writers Association 2015 Writing Competition in the non-published fiction category. Ed later wrote his second novel, Choices, in 2020. Ed was very proud and passionate about the novels he wrote. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), NRA and the Republican Party.

Ed is survived by his wife, Pat Traylor; daughters, Lori (Kyle Wilson) Traylor of Dallas, TX, Angie Traylor of Atwater and a “son” Gary Foster of Virden; grandchildren, Kelsey and Luke Hickman; brothers Rick Nemeth of CA, Mike Nemeth of ID; several nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorthea Anderson, and brother, Gary Nemeth.

A visitation and funeral mass for Ed Traylor were held on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Farmersville with Fr. Florent Kanga officiating.

Memorials in Ed’s honor may be made out to the Salvation Army.

Hough Memorial Home in Farmersville is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be left at houghfuneralhome.com.