Edward Charles Prentiss

Edward Charles Prentiss passed away peacefully, with loved ones near, on October 11, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was born on October 8, 1941, in Sommerville, Massachusetts. Ed was the eldest child of Richard M. Prentiss and Helen (Cowan) Prentiss and was raised on Swaggertown Road in Glenville, New York. He graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, Class of 1959. His yearbook stated, “My watchword is serenity.”

Ed married Diane K. Garrison, and they had two children, Garry E. Prentiss and Darlene K. Prentiss Bower. Ed proudly served in the National Guard. Entrepreneurial by nature, Ed owned businesses his entire life, starting with Prentiss Sheet Metal in Burnt Hills, New York. Moving the family to Buchanan, Tennessee, Ed designed and built his dream home with Diane and later completed it with Lynette May. Eventually moving to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Ed was a loyal and trusted employee to several companies while owning investment properties.

Ed married Shirley Miller in 2002, and they eventually resettled in Shirley’s hometown of Berne, Indiana, where they became active members of the First Mennonite Church. They later also became residents of Swiss Village, where Ed thrived. He loved helping others, and he was so proud of his work building a custom treehouse for a friend. Ed’s best days included garage sale scouting, playing pool and playing cards with friends.

Ed leaves behind a daughter, Darlene (Rod) Prentiss Bower; son, Garry Prentiss; stepchildren, Janelle Miller, Vicki (Gary) Luebke, and Brad Hines; grandchildren, Evan Bickford, DeWitt (Brittany) Noxon, and Kris (Ashley) Luebke; great-grandson, Noel Luebke; sisters, Roberta Sarrutto and Barbara Tiedemann; and several nieces and nephews. Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Miller) Prentiss; parents, Richard and Helen Prentiss; sister, Helen Ann Coon; brother, Richard (Barbara) Prentiss; brothers-in law, Gregory Tiedemann and Patsy Sarrutto; and previous spouses, Diane Condit and Lynette May.

A celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Swiss Village 1350 West Main Street, Berne, Indiana 46711 with visitation one hour prior. Memorial contributions in Ed's name can be made to Compassionate Ministries Network 164 North Jefferson Street, Berne, Indiana 46711 or Animal Protective Foundation 53 Maple Avenue, Glenville, New York 12302-4613.