Earl W. Edwards

July 18, 1935 - January 6, 2021

Earl W. Edwards, 85, of Broadalbin, slipped away peacefully and comfortably on Wednesday afternoon January 6, 2021 with a good friend by his side and his wife on the phone comforting him after valiantly battling COVID-19 for several days. He had also bravely waged a fifteen-year battle with prostate cancer. Earl was born on the family farm in Edinburg, NY on July 18, 1935 the fifth of seven children to Walter and Ethel Wilbur Edwards. He attended school in Edinburg and Northville and graduated in 1954. Earl was proud to have been chosen for the National Honor Society and Boy’s State and enjoyed playing on the baseball team at Northville Central School. In 1956 he enlisted in the US Army and served active duty until 1958. Earl owned and operated Sism Lumber Company in Galway and Otego, NY, retiring from the lumber business in 1990. In Otego, he and his wife also produced and sold maple syrup and maple products, a craft that he learned growing up in a several generation maple producing family. Mr. Edwards served as Councilman and later Supervisor in the Town of Providence in the 60’s and 70’s. He served as Councilman in the Town of Otego in the 80’s. Earl enjoyed a good political debate and would often take the opposite view just to egg on his opponent. After retiring, he traveled with his wife and camped extensively throughout the US, stepping foot into every state except Hawaii. The highlight of their travels was a wonderful anniversary trip to Alaska gifted by their children in 2010. Earl was an avid deer and turkey hunter and enjoyed hunts with his brothers and nephews. He hunted in Utah with his son, and in Colorado, Montana, and New Hampshire with friends. He loved to dance and enjoyed country music and bluegrass. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters, Alta Winn, Tressa Hopkins, and Elfreda “DeDe” Olmstead; a brother, Jay Edwards; a nephew, David Winn; and a niece, Mary Ellen Finch. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Michelfelder Edwards, whom he married on September 19, 1964; three children, Erin Edwards of Edgewater, MD, Edee Edwards and her husband, Mark Halverson of West Halifax, VT; and Dr. Eliot Edwards and his wife, Dr. Kelly Baltazar of Tigard, OR; a precious granddaughter, Stella Baltazar Edwards, the apple of Grandpa’s eye; two brothers, Guy (Dorothy) Edwards and Bert Edwards; a sister-in-law, Priscilla Edwards; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including a very special niece, Coleen Edwards (Michael Carswell). His family would like to acknowledge the love, care, and comfort given to him by special friend, J. Kelly Flewelling, to whom they will be ever grateful. Special thanks to the medical staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam and the COVID unit for their caring attention to Earl’s needs, the spiritual help given by Rev. Chris Hamm, and the support and guidance of the palliative care team. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kevin Cope, Dr. Mohammed Shareef, and the staff at Rao Cancer Center. There will be a celebration of Earl’s life when it is safe to gather, hopefully in the summer. We all know Earl enjoyed a good party and his family wants a joyful time for remembering him. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, in care of the funeral home or directly to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106, Johnstown, NY 12095.