In Memoriam

Ed Shytle

ASHLAND, Ky.––Clyde Edward (Ed) Shytle Jr., 74, former president of the UM Men Foundation (2013-2016) died November 7 following a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ––the Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

While serving as president he established the Ed and Louise Shytle Endowment Fund within the foundation.

Prior to his election as president of the UM Men Foundation, Ed served as president of UM Men of the Kentucky Annual Conference (2013-2016). In 2019, John Burlew presented Ed with the Dale Waymire Leadership Award.

Ed also served on the General Commission on UM Men (2013-2016).

“Ed was a steady, inquisitive, forward thinking, dependable, deeply committed Christian Leader,” said Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the commission. “It was an honor to work with him on the leadership teams of the National Association of Conference Presidents of UM Men and the commission.”

Ed was born in Spindale, NC on June 2, 1945 to the late Clyde Edward and Cleo Daniel Shytle. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Olyn Daniel Shytle and his sister Mary Ellen Yearwood. Ed is survived by his wife of 52 years, Louise, his sons and their spouses; Steven Edward and Joy Gehringer Shytle; Jonathan Leigh and Kelli Parker Shytle of Ashland, KY; four grandchildren, Daniel Edward, Sara Davis, Jacob Richard, and Molly Catherine Shytle.

Ed was a 1967 graduate of Berea College followed by an MBA from Morehead State University. After college he served three years in the Army, 30 years in retail, and three years as director of the UM Mountain Mission.

He was a member of First UMC of Ashland where he served as chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as a member of the Kentucky Annual Conference and a delegate to Jurisdictional and General Conferences.