The Butler County community is mourning the loss of one of its foremost real estate business leaders. C. Edwin (Ed) Shields, 86, of Butler, died on Thursday, June 2, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident. A Pennsylvania native, he was the son of the late Carl E. Shields and Elsie (Vanstone) Shields.
Ed and Grace (Shaffer) Shields were married in 1959. Although he filled his life giving back to the community, Ed’s main priority was to his family and wife of 62 years. The loving couple set aside time for date nights and enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and golf, covered bridging safaris, social outings with friends, and family time with their children and grandchildren.
Like his father before him and his son and grandsons after him, Ed was an Eagle Scout. He exemplified the scouting ideals of hard work, leadership and dedication to family, community and church. A committee member of Boy Scout Troop 5, Ed was a pack leader for the cub scouts, led the Butler Boy Scout Explorers, participated in car rallies and traveled to the World Jamboree in Europe with the Scout band.
A music enthusiast, Ed played the saxophone, was selected to the Pennsylvania State Chorus and was a member of The Penn Tones, a singing group at his alma mater, where he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Real Estate.
A man of service, Ed was recognized for his dedication to real estate and the neighbors he served. Several times awarded Realtor of the Year from the Butler County Board of Realtors and recipient of the 2001 Butler County Association of Realtors Lifetime Achievement Award, Ed served several terms as President of the Butler County Board of Realtors, was well as a term as Vice President of the PA Association of Realtors. He also served as President of both the Midwestern Economic Foundation and the Industrial Management Club.
Over a 50+ year period, Ed shared his knowledge teaching Real Estate at Butler County Community College, Duquesne University and Penn State. Known for his generosity, Ed supported his employees and their families with unyielding kindness.
He was a member of the Butler High School Class of 1954. During his lifetime, Ed was actively involved in numerous civic organizations. He was a member of Kiwanis, the Community Development Corporation of Butler County (CDC), the Masons, DeMolay Legion of honor, Syria Shrine and was a board member for the United Way. He was also a lifetime member of the Butler Country Club.
He was Past Chairman of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Finance Committee and a member of First English Lutheran Church Finance Committee.
A veteran, Ed served in the United States Army Reserves.
Survivors include three children, Mary Elizabeth Shields of Columbus, OH, Vicki (Gus) Cannon of Shawnee, KS, and Carl E. (Suzanne) Shields II of Butler; six grandchildren, Graham Kaseman Cannon, Alexandrew, Christopher, Nicholas, Zachary, and Jacqueline Shields, and a sister, Mary Ellen Shields of Las Vegas, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sandra Miles.
A memorial service will be held at First English Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 beginning at 11:00 am. Due to family concerns, the family requests that attendees wear a mask. For those wishing to join by Zoom, please go to the church website: www.firstenglishbutler.org for the link and directions about how to join. Private burial will follow at North Side Cemetery.