Howard C. "Shorty" Edmunds, 81, of Eastvale, Beaver County, passed away Tuesday while under the compassionate care of the staff at the Evergreen Nursing Home, Harmony.

He was born Dec. 1, 1928, in Wireton, Allegheny County, son of the late Howard and Mildred (Ramsey) Edmunds.

Known as "Shorty" by family and friends, he was the type of man who would befriend anyone and had a keen sense of humor.

He held a number of custodial positions throughout his working life.

In his leisure, Shorty was particularly handy at wood crafting and could be seen at any number of craft shows. He also enjoyed drawing and painting. Shorty played the harmonica but could actually play just about any instrument by ear.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Luvern A. Edmunds, on July 25, 2007; a son, Joseph Waugaman; three brothers, Bob, Leroy and Jesse; and two sisters, Marybelle Bull and Betty Garazounis.

He is survived by several children through marriage, who he raised as his own. To them he was Dad: Jerry (Elaine) Waugaman of Buckhannon, W.Va., David (Patty) Waugaman of Lawrenceville, Ga., Timothy Waugaman of Paris, Texas, Jeffrey Waugaman of Harmony, Sandra (George) Price of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Joy Waugaman of Butler; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

<B>EDMUNDS</B> — Friends of Howard C. "Shorty" Edmunds, who died Tuesday, March 16, 2010, will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in the <B>SAUL-GABAUER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 273 Route 68, Rochester, adjacent to the Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum. His service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald MacNeil officiating. Private interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Evergreen Nursing Home. They loved him, and he loved them. He enjoyed living there and putting a smile on everyone's face.