ONEONTA – Edmund Francis Shultis Jr., 86, went to be with the Lord Monday, December 15, 2008, following a battle with cancer for seventeen years. He died at home, in peace, surrounded by his wife, Freda and every member of his loving family.

He was born May 3, 1922 in Oneonta, the son of Edmund Farragut Shultis Sr. and Julia (Parish) Shultis, and was baptized in the First United Presbyterian Church.

On September 3, 1942 Ed and Freda Beliles married at the First United Presbyterian Church in Oneonta. They celebrated their 67th Anniversary.

Ed lived in Oneonta all his life, graduating from Oneonta High School in the Class of 1940. He then went on to NYSIA Cobleskill, graduating June 2, 1942.

Following their marriage and a honeymoon in Niagara Falls, Ed and Freda made their home in Oneonta, where he found nine months of employment with Seward Sand and Gravel Company; doing so following World War II.

Then with December 7, 1941 and its after math, Ed enlisted in the service of the Army, USA, May 1943. This found Ed shipping out from Ft. Dix to El Paso, Texas and on to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania (Drexel Institute), Florida, (Air Force to become a pilot when it was discovered that he lost his sight at a certain height and was returned to the Army Infantry) From there he was in Officer Candidate Class Ft. Benning, GA, 21st Company, Class # 469, graduating on July 17, 1945. Then he became one of the first groups to enter Japan for a year of occupation, coming home September of 1946 and an honorable discharge.

His first son, Edmund George Shultis, III was born September 27, 1944 and traveled with Freda to be with his dad until he left for Japan. Larry Robert was born December 8, 1949 making their circle of love complete.

Ed was always very active in his church. He became a youth leader, then trustee, Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, usher, Representative to Presbytery, numerous committees and has now left from his church to his reward with God.

After the Army Ed went on the Sales and Service with Allis Chalmers then New Idea, as a salesman for farm machinery. Later he became City Clerk for Oneonta, becoming Purchasing Agent and Transportation Director. He founded both and went on and founded a NYS Association for both areas, becoming president of each. Among other duties he directed the City Garage, Safety and Job Corp. All the while he was a Captain in the National Guard and was Commander of same.

Ed cared about his family, Church, Community and Country. He was an active member in the American Legion, ROA, Rotary, Boy Scouts of America, a board member of the Patient Advisor Committee of Bassett Healthcare and was a founder card member of the new Veterans Museum in Washington, DC. He founded the Ed Shultis Man to Man Prostate Group in 1992 and was still president at his death.

One of his favorite was his and Freda's co-chair persons for the first "State of Art" Building for the Upstate Home drive (now Spring Brook), for a sum of $500,000 and which was successful. There was much more!

Ed and Freda traveled extensively during their 67 plus years. Greece and Israel became the highlight of their trips. He also took much love and joy in becoming a part of the Beliles Clan.

Through all of this Ed was an outstanding husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, loved one and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents "Ma and Pa" and Otis and Mary Shultis, Aunt Ruth, brother-in-law, Hal Blaauber, and sister-in-law, Grace Shultis.

He is survived by his wife, Freda; son, Edmund G (Beth); granddaughters, Stephanie (Dave) and Michelle (Michael); great grandchildren, Mace and Tanner (Nica in February) and Andrew and Jameson; son, Larry (Dorothy); granddaughters, Adaline and Sarah (Nathan); great grandchildren, Tyler, Jayden and Hailey Elizabeth; brother, Glenn; sister, Virginia; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, and life long friend, Fred Munson

A big thank you to our granddaughter, Sarah S. Zakala, RN, for her loving care of Cramps and the hours so beautifully given.

Sixty-seven plus years is truly a treasured gift of memory. Our friends in college gave us six months.

To my darling, I Loved You yesterday, I Love You today, I Love You forever in Eternity. Your Own Fritz

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, the corner of Walling Ave. and Main Street, Oneonta. The memorial service will start at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Gary Bonebrake, pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church and the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Walton-Leavitt, pastor, officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery. You are invited to join the family after the committal service for a reception at the First United Presbyterian Church Social Hall.

Contributions may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, 2Walling Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Ed Shultis Man to Man Chapter, c/o Bob Parmerter, PO Box 231, Schenevus, NY 12155 or to the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820

To sign the guest book or send a condolence, visit, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.