The Rev. Edwin C. Giles III

The Rev. Edwin C. Giles III, 56, of Pleasant Mount, passed away suddenly on Sunday afternoon, July 18, 2021, at home, due to natural causes. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, the former Christine A. Natishak. They were married on June 1, 1985.

Born Aug. 27, 1964, in Carbondale, he was the son of Edwin C. Giles Jr., of Waymart, and Patricia (Price) Eldred, of Equinunk.

Ed graduated from Forest City Regional High School in 1982. Together, he and Chris raised a beautiful family which was the center of Ed's life. He went on to earn an associate degree from Keystone College to become a micro-computer specialist. As his children grew, Ed never failed to take an active role in everything his children pursued. He attended all of their activities from sports to the arts. Ed coached the children's soccer and softball teams, and at one time served as the president of the local youth soccer league.

In 2003, Ed began what would become one of his greatest joys in life: he entered the ministry as a licensed local pastor of the United Methodist Church. Throughout the years, he had the pleasure of serving as the pastor of Union Dale, Pleasant Mount, Whites Valley, Orson and Prompton Community United Methodist churches. Ed was currently serving as the pastor of Prompton; in fact, he led worship and preached his final sermon on Sunday morning, just hours before the Lord called him home.

Ed continued to find interest in his children's activities into their adulthood, including volunteering in the Forest City Regional Mask and Hammer Drama Club where he consistently helped with everything from set-building to accent and dialect coaching. He loved to celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day," and would want everyone to know that it comes around on Sept. 19, "this year and every year." Ed was an avid reader. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and also followed the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Union.

For the majority of his adult life, Ed worked in information technology. For the past 10 years, he was a master equipment support field technician for Benco Dental.

Ed will be remembered for his profound and unfailing love. This was perhaps most evidenced in his unquestionable devotion to his wife Chris; he would do anything for her, whether it was something he enjoyed or not.

Ed is also survived by three children, all of whom he adored: Michelle (Shelley) Giles, of Whites Crossing; Scott Giles and his companion, Doria, of New York City; and Matt Giles, of Pleasant Mount; seven siblings, David, Lynda, Patti, James, Tami, Deborah and Robert; his father's wife, Donna; his mother's husband, Leon Eldred; several nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 23, at 10 a.m. in the Prompton Community United Methodist Church, 156 Church St., Prompton, PA 18456, with the Rev. Judy Walker, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre district superintendent of the United Methodist Church officiating. All attending are asked to go directly to the church.

Friends may visit on Thursday, July 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Prompton Community United Methodist Church. Burial will be on Friday in Wheeler Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Mount.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edward R. Howell, funeral director, Jenkins-Howell Funeral Home Inc., 269 Belmont St., Waymart, PA 18472; www.JenkinsHow

ellFuneralHome.com.