Ernest Shiflett Obituary

SHIFLETT , Ernest Suddenly on January 28, 2009, ERNEST DAVIS SHIFLETT. Born January 22, 1926 in Standarsville, VA. Beloved husband of Patricia Shiflett (nee Sipes). Son of the late Robert Shiflett and Alberta Shiflett Hunt. Brother of Herman Shiflett, Dallas Hunt and the late Carrie Sacre, William Ed and Delwood weaver Shiflett. Much loved father of Laura Walker and husband Scott Sewell, R. Lance Walker and his wife Kathleen, Lisa Young and her husband Robert E. David Shiflett and his wife Tanya. Wonderfully "Poppy" of Jessica Milesky, Trevor and Brendan Spedden, Dennis O'Donnell, III, Spencer and Elizabeth Young and Samantha and Alissa Shiflett. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Ernie was the proverbial self-made man. With very little formal education he accomplished much. After arriving in Baltimore and working at a variety of jobs where he managed to learn how to weld and do mechanical work, he went on to start his own businesses. He began with one dump truck and just went on from there. Eventually he had a steel hauling business with many loyal employees. When we wanted to build an office and shop, he made a deal that helped him acquired land with little or no money down. Then he acted as his own general contractor and had his shop and offices erected. Everything proved to be a success strictly due to his hard work and determination. The opportunity presented itself when he was asked to be a depot for a container company. His was the first on the East Coast. He ended up being a deport for three companies and brought seven more acres adjacent to his original lot. Once again he was in the right spot at the right time and jumped at the opportunity and successfully managed all of the various enterprises. He was fearless in his undertakings and worked harder than anyone who ever worked for him. Sheer determination drove him. After selling his business (1982) he began restoring antique cars and entering car shows and winning many trophies. He was featured in Muscle Car Classics (8/88) with pictures of a Shelby GT 350 he had restored. Due to health problems he had to give up the car restorations and his next project was building a log home on a mountain in Pennsylvania. Not only did he oversee the building, but he would drive everyday from Baltimore to PA. to make sure all was done as he wanted. He proceeded to terrace the sloped lot with stones he dug out of the ground. The walls are a sight to see. No one could believe he had dug and laid each stone. His fingerprints are all over everything that made up his life. There was no way but the right way to do anything. The vegetable garden he had each year produced so much and was so manicured, weeds had no chance. He could work rights around folks half his age. While he accomplished so many things the greatest joys in his life were his children and grandchildren.
A memorial gathering will be held Saturday 1 to 4 P.M at the AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME, INC.., 1328 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus. Donations may be made in his memory to Beans & Bread, 402 S. Bond Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231 or to My Brothers Keeper, 4207 Frederick Road, Baltimore, MD, 21229. Send condolences to
www.ambrosefuneralhomes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Baltimore Sun on Jan. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Shiflett

15 Entries

Lisa Young

January 21, 2010

Tomorrow Dad would have turned 84 years of age. I called him on Wednesday, January 22, 2009 to wish him a happy birthday. I always asked him "what do you want for your birthday dinner?" and he always replied whatever you want to make. Dad loved to eat dinner. It will be a year next Thursday since he has left us. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways it seems like forever. We will always keep him in our thoughts and our hearts.

May 27, 2009

I just wanted to THANK all those who so generously donated monies to 'Beans and Bread' and 'My Brother's Keeper' in my Dad's name and in his memory.

My brother David, once asked our Dad, "Dad why don't you slow down?! You work so hard...take a break."

Dad replied, "David...if you went to bed hungry... as many times as I did as a kid...you'd work this hard too."

We are humbled by your generosity to these wonderful charities. I am sure Dad is smiling also...Truly...

~Laura~

Lisa Young

February 10, 2009

Dad:

I was unable to speak at your gathering. David, Lance, Laura, Kathleen and Mom did a great job.

I wanted to share with those people who were not present when Laura spoke her words, thoughts and memories.

At 3o'clock this morn I was in my Dad's room. It made me think of when my brother was little. David is my Dad's only biological child. When he was born he looked just like my Mom's side of the family with blue eyes and blond hair. David used to say..."I look just like my Daddy. I have wide shoulders and big fingers."

My sister Lisa was once asked in grade school what nationality her family was. My sister said...
"Everyone in my family is English except my Father...he is hillbilly."

I looked around my Dad's room...at his Mack Truck replicas and numerous trophies and plaques garnered from restoring Mustangs.

My Father loved a lot of things: Trucks...Cars...Gardening...Restoring houses...hunting.

My Father was meticulous. A perfectionist. He was a man of action-a 'force of nature'.

Dad was not afraid of any man. My Father was intense.

He was judge and jury. There was no gray in this world-only black and white.

They don't make people like my Father anymore. He meant what he said and said what he meant.

Manners were important to him. He was one of THE most polite people you'd ever want to meet. "Yes Sir. No Mam. Please. Thank You were routine in our house.

Education was important to him especially since he did not have much in the way of formal schooling. He was the epitome of the 'self-made' man.

My Father said, "You are only as good as your word." and he was a man of his word...ALWAYS! Honesty was everything to him.

Life was serious for my Dad. I think this harkens back to his childhood. My Father left his family when he was 11 years old to find his way in the world.

My Father had a strong moral compass.

My Father raised us like he raised his younger brother. He was strict and taught us respect. He taught us that nothing is more important than the truth.

My Father was very bright and I don't think he ever knew he was my conscience in life. As a young girl whenever I had a question about right or wrong-I only had to think of my Dad to get the answer.

My Father knew a good thing when he saw it and this lead him to my Mom.

Not many men would marry a woman with 3 young children but my Mom was just that special. My Father had been married before and never was able to have children and felt responsible ... well my brother is proof otherwise.

My Father never introduced us as his step-children. We were his children.

When he married our Mom we had a hard time calling him Dad and he said it was okay to call him Mr. Ernie. We called him Mr. Ernie until my brother David ...his biological child...started calling him Mr. Ernie also. Our Father asked us if we could try really hard to call him Dad and so we did.

My Mother took care of my Dad. She smoothed out his 'rough edges'.

In my Mother my Dad met his match. My Mother with her patience and compassion was just as strong-willed as my Father was intense.

My Mother taught my Father what forgiveness was.

My Mother's ideas became my Father's ideas...tho I do not think he readily admitted this..
I really cannot think about my Dad without my Mom or my Mom without my Dad.

She was his wife for more than half his life. My Mom taught my dad what laughter was...even tho he never understood why 'MASH' was so funny.

My Mother was my Dad's partner in business. She was his partner in life. She was his partner in love.

Together thru thick and thin...good and bad...sickness and health.

My parents are an inspiration to me...always have been and forever will be. I love you and miss you Dad.

Sister, thank you for the memories.
Written and read by Laura Walker

Steve & Sharon Norris

January 31, 2009

Dear Miss Pat and Family,
I will always remember the good times I had hunting and fishing with Mr. Ernie. We will keep all of you in our prayers.

Tommy Norris

January 31, 2009

Dear Miss Pat and Family,
I remember Mr Ernie way back when we lived on Benson Ave and the Green Pine days and that's a long time ago. Mr Ernie left alot of us with good memories.
Upton T. NorrisIII (Tommy)

Tom and Lucille Norris

January 31, 2009

Dear Pat and Family,
We were proud to call Ernie friend for more years than I can remember.You are in our prayers.
Love,
Tom and Lucille Norris

Martha Childress

January 31, 2009

Pat and family,
My deepest sympathy to you and yours at this very sad time. I always admired the the man Ernie was. He was very proud of his family and Pat, you were definitely the love of his life. Take comfort in knowing how much he loved each and everyone of you. He is in a better place now watching over all of you. Let your memories of him fill the pages of your mind as a constant reminder of all the good times you shared together. He will be with you forever in spirit.
Love and prayers,
Your cousin Martha

Harold Forst

January 30, 2009

Pat,
My deepest sympathy to you and the family.
I will probably not be able to make the viewing, but my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Harold Forst, Tax-Aide, Havre De Grace MD

Don McKinstry

January 30, 2009

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Michael Carullo

January 30, 2009

Dear Pat, Phyllis and I are so sorry to hear about your loss. I was shocked. I had just spoken to you that morning about the Tax-Aide Program. While I never met Ernie, I always enjoyed the stories you told about him at the Tax-Aide sessions. Know that we are thinking about you and your family and please let me know if there is any way I can take some of the burden and worries from you by pitching in more with the Tax-Aide program.

Sherry Sersen

January 30, 2009

To My Favorite Aunt Pat and Cousins Laura, Lance, Lisa, David and their families: My heart is deeply saddened by the loss of Uncle Ernie. I can only imagine how his wife, children and grandchildren must feel. I am praying that the peace of the Lord will sustain you through this time. I have many childhood memories of spending days (and nights:) with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. Their home often felt like my own and my cousins were the brothers and sisters I never had growing up. I also was blessed to enjoy the fruit of Uncle Ernie's labor in his garden and to see it firsthand...and what a beautiful sight it was! I also loved those Mustangs he restored. I wanted to buy one from him once until he informed me this particular model would get about 9 miles to the gallon. It was then I realized these cars were meant for show or an occasional Sunday drive in perfect weather! I admired Uncle Ernie's hard work and perseverance and all the sacrifices he made. I know that the memories will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. May God's abundant grace and blessings be with you all as you carry on in this life.

Debby Raymond

January 30, 2009

Dear Miss Pat, Lance, Kathy & Dennis, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that the entire community of Wilham Park support you and are praying for you all.
Blessings,
Debby Raymond

Sharon Jackson and Family

January 30, 2009

When a friend passes, we all say "He will be missed". Well for the first real time, I, as many others can truly say we will miss him. Ernie and Pat have become an integral part of my family's lives. My brother, Sonny, Mike and my sons love to visit with them and socialize to share their wonderful stories and experiences. Ernie did so much to help everyone, as does Pat and their blessing of friendship remains with my family, deeply embedded in our hearts. My hope and prayers is for the Shiflett family to find peace and remembrance of the past for consolation and comfort in the future. Ernie will be truly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Jadie Miller

January 30, 2009

Pat and children, I am so sorry to hear of Ernie passing. As my mom (Betty Miller) has always said "I wish we could have met Pat and Ernie earlier in life". I am sooo glad that we did get to meet. Please know that Ernie will be sorely missed and now God will be the lucky one to have Ernie's fingerprints on everything. May God hold him in the palm of his hand!

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