Edward "Ed" Ralph Shaw

Edward “Ed” Ralph Shaw passed away from Covid 19 in Bloomington, Indiana on December 28, 2020. He was 98. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Roberts Shaw. Ed was born in Davenport, Iowa on September 20, 1922, the son of Frank R. Shaw and Margaret (nee Bleuer) Shaw. His brother, Robert F. Shaw, also preceded him in death. Ed is survived by his four children, Kathlee (Raymon) Rose, Merridee (Joseph) LaMantia, Edward “Ned” Shaw, and David (Anne) Shaw, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 1 niece, and 2 nephews. Ed proudly served his country during WWII in the European theater with the 89th Infantry Division. In April of 1945, his was the first American unit to liberate a Nazi concentration camp, when it overran a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. After his discharge in 1946, he married Betty Roberts and returned to the University of Iowa, graduating with a BA in Marketing. He was hired by the A.C. Nielsen Co. He and Elizabeth moved to the Chicago area, where they lived 16 years until moving to Evansville, Indiana after Ed took a job with Products Acceptance and Research. In 1980, Ed and Betty relocated to Bloomington, Indiana, where Ed opened a moped shop on W. Second Street. In addition to business interests, Ed and Betty were active members of the Bloomington community, joining the VFW, the Elks, and Faith Lutheran Church, where he and Betty were instrumental in organizing the “Joy Group” an active circle of older members. They attended local theatre productions regularly, and also participated in local ballroom dancing classes. During his long life, Ed was a witness to many unique moments in history. In 1927, he witnessed Lindbergh’s visit to the Quad Cities from his father’s shoulders, an experience he never forgot. As a child, he watched the Native Americans of Iowa demonstrate their dances and ceremonies at his grade school. He saw his mother feed homeless strangers at the back door during the Depression. Ed took part in overcoming the carnage of WWII, and watched the night sky from his garage roof in the 50’s to see Sputnik fly over. He struggled with the rest of this generation to understand the Hippies and pacifists his Boomer children turned into, and mastered, for a while anyway, the mysteries of the computer. Ed was interested in business, history, travel, religion, and politics; but most of all; Edward Shaw was a family man. He introduced his children to the joys of camping, traveling, and visiting state and national parks. He stayed active and current with the lives of his kids and grandkids all of his life. His grandchildren could always count on the comforting sight of Grandpa Ed in the audience, holding a camcorder capturing the special moments of life. Family occasions always found Ed an enthusiastic participant. Ed’s entrepreneurial spirit was ever present throughout his life, but the greatest venture he pursued was being the patriarch of his beloved family. Edward Shaw loved his family and leaves behind a familial legacy of kindness, passion, and creativity. A private ceremony will be held due to the Corona Virus. A Celebration of Life Ceremony is being planned for the future. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Edward "Ed" Ralph Shaw

September 20, 1922 - December 28, 2020