Erath - Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 18, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath honoring the patriotic life, devout soul, and passionate spirit of Edward "Eddie" John Shiner, 84, who journeyed home to be with Our Lord on Thursday, August 14, 2014. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 17, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with the recitation of the rosary at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Monday, August 18, 2014, at 9:00 am until the time of the services. At that time, Father Bill Melancon will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetary in Indiana, PA. Eucharistic ministers will be John-Earl and Peggy LeBlanc. Altar server will be his grandson, John-Michael Shiner. Lector will be his daughter-in-law, Teilla Shiner. Giftbearers will be his daughter-in-law, Monica Shiner, his niece, Dominica M. Munroe, and his nephews, Jerome Mergist and Ronnie Suire. Music will be provided by Dana Granger, soloist, and Francis Toups, organist. Musical selections for the service will include "Amazing Grace," "Ave Maria," "On Eagle's Wings," and "J'irai La Voir Un Jour." Eddie, a native of Ernest, PA, was a beloved and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and brother who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was born and raised in Ernest, PA, and for a brief time, he attended school in Brooklyn, New York, but he eventually returned home to PA to graduate from Indiana High School in 1948 and attend Penn State College. His devotion to Our Lord led Eddie to enter the Franciscan Seminary, and while he was there, he gained a love of Latin. Eddie's patriotic love for our country influenced him to join the Air Force where he was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California during the Korean War. After his tour of duty, Eddie continued to work at Edwards Air Force Base where he flew many times with pilots, Chuck Yeager and Deak Slayton. While visiting his two sisters, Liz Mergist and Helen Suire, who resided in LA, he met his future wife and love of his life, Judy, and the two were married on June 16, 1957. Eddie's love for aviation led him to his career as a Records Supervisor for first, PHI, and then, Air Logistics. For his exemplary service at Air Logistics, he received, "The John Stewart Memorial" Award, and retired from Air Log after many years of service. While working full-time, Eddie, Rudy Lange, and Bobby LeBlanc founded L & S Greenhouse, a vegetable plant nursery, which sold to local feed stores. Eddie and his wife, Judy LeBlanc Shiner, eventually, became the primary owners. Upon his retirement, Eddie, Judy, and his daughter, Mary expanded the nursery which covered a tri-state area. His love of nature, gardening, and horticulture could be seen not only in his nursery business but also in his yard and landscaping. On many days, Eddie could be found at his pond fishing for bass and bream with his father-in-law, George, and his good friend, Roger Simon. As an avid historian, he enjoyed traveling with his family to historical sites and landmarks. In 1976, to show his patriotic love for our country and the Erath community, he served on the Fourth of July Committee, and he was instrumental in getting a replica of the Liberty Bell to be displayed in front of City Hall. In the early eighties, Eddie was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade. During football and baseball seasons, Eddie could be found watching his Pittsburgh football and baseball teams, his Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Team, and of course, his New York Yankees. During 1962, he coached Babe Ruth Baseball and helped to lead his team to become the 1962 State Champions. Everyone knew Eddie was Polish; his Polish heritage could be seen in his favorite dance, The Polka, his love of "Polish" food, and his love of the "Polish" language. Although Eddie will be sadly missed by all who knew him, his legacy will continue through his memorable stories, his example and character, his love for our country, and his love for his family and friends. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Judy LeBlanc Shiner of Erath; one daughter, Mary Shiner of Erath; two sons, Richard Shiner and his wife, Monica LeBlanc Shiner of Delcambre; and Karl Shiner and his wife, Teilla Broussard Shiner of Erath; four grandsons, Jordy Shiner and his wife, Brandi Guidry Shiner of Loreauville; Taylor Shiner of Delcambre; Nicholas Shiner of Lafayette; and John-Michael Shiner of Erath; three sisters, Elizabeth "Liz" Shiner Mergist of Abbeville; Helen Shiner Suire of Bartlett, Il; Kay Ross of Delmont, PA; and one brother, Henry Shiner and his wife, Shirlee, of Indiana, PA; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, John Shiner; his mother, Mary Belevender Mancusi; his sister, Bernice Shiner Gera; his paternal grandparents, Jacob and Agnes Shiner; his maternal grandparents, Stanley and Pauline Wesolosky Belevender; and his step-father, Frank Mancusi. Serving as pallbearers will be his sons, Richard and Karl Shiner; his grandsons, Jordy, Taylor, and Nicholas Shiner; and his nephew, Joseph "Sonny" Mergist. Honorary pallbearers will include his brother, Henry Shiner; his grandson, John-Michael Shiner, his friends, Ricky Broussard, Leonard Mavrinac, Roger Simon, and Nick Viator; and his brothers-in-law, George LeBlanc and Tilford Langlinais. The family would like to thank Dr. John Thibodeaux, Dr. Weston Miller, Dr. Jeremy Speeg, Dr. J. Eugene "Gene" Brierre; nurse, JoAnn Hollier; and Hospice of Acadiana. A special thanks goes to Eddie's dedicated and loving sister, Elizabeth "Liz" Mergist for her daily care, encouraging words, faithful prayers, and many hours spent at the side of her brother, "Edge." David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337) 937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.
