Ernest “Shorty” Schulze, age 74, of Portage, passed Sunday, February 15, 2009 surrounded by his family.  

He was born November 13, 1934 in East Gary, the son of Ernest and Alice (Buckingham) Schulze, Sr., both of whom preceded him in death.  

He is survived by his loving wife Tamara; four children, Michael T. (Kim) Schulze of Chesterton, Sue Stanley of Hobart, Tammy (David) Clark of Portage and David (Nancy) Schulze of Michigan City; 11 grandchildren, Ashley Schulze, Theodore Schulze, Michael (Chrissy) Kmetz, Robert Kmetz, Sara Kmetz, James Kmetz, Kenneth (Candace) Clark, Kevin Clark, Stephen Clark, Travis Pagels, and Brandon Pagels; four great grandchildren, Andru, Anna, Steven, and Ona Jean; three sisters Erna Linxwiler of Valparaiso, Helen (Albert) Fait of Valparaiso, and Jean Russell of Portage; several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by three sisters Margaret, Clara, and Edna; and son-in-law David Stanley.  

Ernest was a retired asphalt plant operator from Edward A. Kirk, Inc. and a retiree of Teamsters Union Local 142. He was also a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church where he served as an Elder of the Church and was a sixteen year member of the Board of Trustees.  He was also a past Boy Scout Master of Troop 150. He was a former member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Ernest was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Germany. He was also in the National Defense Service. His passions were wood crafting, gardening, weekend camping trips, yearly fishing trips to Minnesota, and family gatherings.  

Funeral services, Pastor Frederick Hoover officiating, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 18 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 6540 Central Ave., Portage. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.  

Friends may call on Tuesday, February 17 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage. 

Memorial gifts may be made to the Portage Fire Department for its Christmas Toy Drive or to St. Peter Lutheran Church.  www.ee-fh.com

Posted 2/16/2009