Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017
Shearl Elder
Shearl Langstaff Edler, died at Otterbein St. Marys at 5:42 p.m. on November 20, 2017 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was 87.
Mr. Edler was born on February 21, 1930, in Huntington, West Virginia to his parents, Shearl and Elizabeth Edler. He grew up in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia where he helped his father on the milk truck.
The family moved to Huntington, and then to Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia where he graduated from the local high school. The fall after graduating he enrolled at Marshall College in Huntington, WV. There he met his future wife, Lois Rardon, over a plate of Brussels sprouts at their dining hall.
While attending Marshall, Shearl studied Spanish and Drama and was often cast as an actor in plays. His favorite role was George in "All My Sons." The production was selected to perform at The American College Theatre Festival at Indiana University where it received a standing ovation from the festival audience. Lois and Shearl were married on January 7, 1951. Shearl graduated from Marshall College in 1952.
Shortly after graduation, Shearl served 2 years in the Army, stationed in Japan where he wrote for The Pacific Stars and Stripes, Army Times, and English language Japanese newspapers. On returning to the US, Shearl taught a year at Wahama High School in West Virginia, then he and Lois moved to Sidney, Ohio where he taught English, Speech, Drama, and Spanish at Sidney High School.
Shearl began his 27-year career at Sidney High School. Former students have credited Mr. Edler as having a great positive influence in their lives. He was instrumental in developing a unique college preparatory curriculum called Project 60 (later shortened to Project) that received regional and national attention in education circles.
During his time in education, Shearl Edler earned many awards; Leader in Secondary Education, Sidney Education Association Teacher of the Year, Western Ohio Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Sidney's Outstanding Educator. In 1998, he was inducted into the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor.
During the summer months, Mr. Edler earned credits for a Master's Degree from Purdue University and Louisiana State University. He ultimately graduated with a Master's Degree from Miami University, in Oxford, OH.
Mr. Edler retired from Sidney High School in 1982. After retirement, he did a short stint writing for Coin World. Finally returning to a teaching assignment at Lehman Catholic High School. After that final retirement, the Edlers spent several winters in Florida. In 2006, they left Sidney and moved to Otterbein St. Marys.
Shearl continued to write throughout his life. He was a stringer for the Dayton Daily News and the Sidney Daily News in the 1970's. He had a weekly column in the Sidney Daily News during that same time. Articles that he wrote appeared in the Parade Magazine, The Phi Delta Kappan, The Ohio Schools, Bicycling Magazine, and The Interpreter-a publication of the United Methodist Church. He wrote a monthly column in the Otterbein St. Marys publication, The Docksider, while he and Lois were living there. In 2011, he authored the book "Never Let that Spirit Die," a narrative of his journey as high school educator in Sidney, Ohio in the 1950's.
Mr. Edler is survived by a daughter, Deborah (Lee) Werts of St. Marys, Ohio and 2 sons, David (Abby) Edler of Vernon Hills, IL and Michael (Shannon) Edler of Chicago, IL, 2 grandchildren, Marisa and Marc Edler, of Vernon Hills, IL; 1 sister, Suzanne (Tom) Milstead of St. Albans, WV.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Sally Jo Masters, and his wife of 62 years, Lois Edler.
A Memorial Service will take place at 11 am on Monday, November 27, 2017 in the Meyer Room at Otterbein St. Marys (11230 State Route 364, Saint Marys, OH). All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mr. Edler's life from 10 am until hour of service. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Otterbein St. Marys Benevolent Fund or Grand Lake Health Systems Hospice Care. Donations can also be made online (https://www.michaeljfox.org) in his name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Arrangements are in the care of Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home 302 S. Main Ave. Sidney. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made to the Edler family at the funeral home's website, www.cromesfh.com.
