Charles Eugene Sholtis

Charles Eugene Sholtis, 89, of Parrish, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2024. Born on September 15, 1935, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Charles was the beloved son of Charles M. and Mary (Donley) Sholtis. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Charles leaves a legacy marked by his dedication to family, country, and industry.

After graduating from Ebensburg High School in Pennsylvania, he proudly served in the United States Navy, stationed in New London, Connecticut on a destroyer escort. After the Navy he pursued a career in manufacturing. Charles studied engineering and drafting at Jamestown Community College, earning an associate degree in 1967 and launching a lifelong commitment to innovation in manufacturing. He attained status as a Certified Manufacturing Engineer with the SME. Throughout his early career during the 1960’s Charles worked at notable companies like GTE, Remington, and Timex.

In 1973, he founded Plastic Molding Technology Inc. (PMT), located in Bridgeport, Connecticut establishing himself as a pioneering force in the plastics industry. Passionate about education and mentorship, Charles introduced Connecticut’s first plastics apprenticeship program in the 1990s, helping guide and inspire a new generation of industry professionals. In 1991 after the fall of communism he established Danube Mold and Die in Bratislava Czechoslovakia in Europe. He was involved in the Society of Plastics Engineers. He retired from PMT as Chairman and CTO in El Paso Texas in 2013 after 40 years.

He enjoyed various interests such as cooking, playing accordion, fishing, art and boating.

Charles is survived by his loving wife, Marty (Klym) Sholtis, his son Charles A. and wife Mary Sholtis, and his son Todd M. Sholtis. His legacy lives on through his grandchildren, Jennifer (Sholtis) Perez, Casey Sholtis, and Charles John Sholtis, and his great-grandchildren, Asher Perez (16), Everett Perez (13), and Nora Perez (12). He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles M. and Mary Sholtis, his brother James B. Sholtis, and his sister Anita Jacobs.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Parrish, Florida. Following the service, private interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, honoring Charles’s commitment to helping others at https://donate.cancer.org/.