Edward Michael Mielewski, 77, of White River Junction, VT, died on January 18, 2025, at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 10, 1947, to Edward and Betty Mielewski, Ed spent his early years in Hazel Park, Michigan, where he was the leader of all the fun on the block and excelled on his high school diving team.

Ed proudly served in the United States Army as part of the 101st Airborne Paratroopers ("Screaming Eagles") during the Vietnam War, where he was honored with the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge Rifle M16, a Combat Infantry Badge, and three Purple Hearts for his bravery and sacrifice. After returning from Vietnam, he continued his service by becoming a police officer in Washington, DC, before transitioning to civilian life.

In 1976, Ed and his family moved to Hartland, VT, where he worked at the Old Mill Cabinet Shop. He later moved back to Detroit, where he married Bonnie Lee Thompson, with whom he spent many years of love and laughter. After her death, he moved to Minnesota to help his daughter and her family, and then eventually returned to Vermont with them, where he spent the remainder of his life. Before retirement, he worked at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), a U.S. Army research center in Hanover, NH, as a lead federal security officer.

Ed was known for his tremendous generosity, his ability to transform tragedy into comedy with his excellent storytelling, and his intrinsic decency and impulse to protect and help other people. He persevered through hardship with his humanity intact, and the love he had for his family and friends was limitless.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Baum, her husband, Robert, and his grandchildren, George, Theodore, Elijah, and Oliver; his ex-wife, Linda Shaw; his longtime companion, Joan Emery; and his sister, Lois Aultman.

Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital, to which Ed was a generous donor. There will be no service, in accordance with his wishes. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery later this year.