Edward Sandmeier is a Michigan licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the Grand Traverse Bay Area.  He is a 1999 graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.

Shortly after completing an apprenticeship in embalming and receiving his license in 2001, Edward joined the U.S. Army.  He served as both a Mortuary Affairs Specialist and Airborne Infantryman.

His service included 4 deployments to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was also part of the 2 Battalion Task Force of the 82nd Airborne Division sent to New Orleans to secure the city following Hurricane Katrina.

After his service in the military, Edward returned to San Francisco and resumed his career as a mortician.  He attended DeVry University and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management and Human Resources.

He became involved in the community by serving with fellow veterans in the American Legion as Commander of Cesar E. Chavez Post 505 and Vice Commander of the 8th District of San Francisco.  He also joined the Freemasons and served as the Worshipful Master of Pacific-Starr King Lodge No. 136 F&AM in San Francisco.

Today, Edward Sandmeier is living and working as a funeral director in the Northern Michigan town of Traverse City.  He is continuing his service to the community by joining a Traverse City Lodge No. 222 Free & Accepted Masons and Veteran's of Foreign Wars Cherryland Post No. 2780.

Professional Timeline

1997 - Began working in funeral service

1998 - Graduated from Galt High School

1999 - Graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science

2001 - Licensed as an Embalmer (California)

2001 - October, Enlisted into U.S. Army, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO

2002 - Stationed at Ft. Lee, VA

2002, 2003 - Deployed to Afghanistan (7 months)

2003, 2004 - Deployed to Iraq (1 year)

2005 - Re-trained as infantryman, Ft. Benning, GA

2005 - Airborne School, Ft. Benning, GA

2005 - Stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC

2005 - Deployment to New Orleans (Katrina)

2006 - Ranger School

2006 - Deployment to Iraq (5 months)

2007 - Deployment to Iraq (10 Months)

2008 - Honorably Discharged

2008 - Resumed work in funeral service

2009 - Licensed as Funeral Director (California)

2012 - Initiated as Freemason; joined American Legion

2014 - Graduated with Bachelor of Science

2014 - Raised as Master Mason; elected American Legion Post Commander

2015 - Re-elected Post 505 Commander; Appointed Senior Deacon of Masonic Lodge

2016 - Elected as 1st Vice Commander, 8th District of American Legion

2018 - Elected as Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge

2019 - Moved to Traverse City, MI to pursue career and community ambitions

​2019 - Licensed as Funeral Director (Michigan)