Edgar M. Beidleman

Published in the Morning Call on 12/24/2008

Edgar M. Beidleman, 93, of Northampton, formerly of Whitehall, died Tuesday, December 23, 2008 in the home of his daughter, Sharon, with whom he resided. He was the husband of the late Charlotte M.C. (Moore) Beidleman, who died in 1999.

Born in Hokendauqua, he was the son of the late William H. and Helen (Moyer) Beidleman. Edgar was employed by Whitehall-Coplay School District as a high school history and drivers education teacher in the senior high school for 34 years before retiring in 1980.

He was a three-sport athlete at Whitehall High School, football, basketball and baseball, but it was in baseball that Ed was truly exceptional.

Following his graduation from Whitehall High School in 1933, Ed had a successful eight-year professional baseball career with stints in the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers organizations. His professional career ended in 1944 with the Double AA Trenton team.

After his graduation from Kutztown State Teachers College in 1946, Ed began his association with Whitehall High School, an association that lasted an incredible period of 60 years. Ed was a highly successful head baseball coach, from 1953-63. He also served as an assistant football coach, from 1952-60 and head girls softball coach in 1977 and 1978.

Ed was a long time statistician for both the basketball and baseball programs. His 60 years of service to Whitehall High School finally came to a close in 1995 when Ed retired as the Voice of Zephyr Football.

Few individuals can boast of the level of dedication, commitment and service as Edgar Ed Beidleman. Whitehall High School truly benefited from Eds six decades of contributions. Ed was inducted in to Whitehall-Coplay School Districts Athletic Hall of Fame on February 11, 2000.

He was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Northampton, where he served as superintendent of Sunday school for many years, former council member and usher.

He enjoyed golf, gardening, sports and most of all, his family. Survivors: He is survived by his son, William E. and his wife, Carol Beidleman, of Conway, S.C.; daughter, Mrs. Sharon L. Heffelfinger of Northampton; four grandchildren, Susan, wife of David Stewart, Todd Heffelfinger, Chad Heffelfinger and Christine, wife of John Palacios; three great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Logan and Nathan; brother-in-law, Richard and his wife, Carol Moore, of Northampton.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Charles and Marlin, and most recently a son-in-law, Freddie Heffelfinger, who died in November.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday, December 26, 2008 in the Schisler Funeral Home, 2119 Washington Avenue, Northampton, 18067. Call 1-2 p.m. prior to the services. The Rev. Neil Mumma officiating. Interment will follow in Allen Union Cemetery Association.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at: www.schislerfuneralhomes.com.
Contributions: May be made to the church memorial fund, c/o the funeral home.