Edgar L. (Ed) Halderman, age 78, died on March 24, 2021, of cancer at his home in Sarasota, FL. He was born January 18, 1943, the only child of Myrton E. and Isabell A. Halderman of Cogan Station, PA.  He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, the former Linda Kay Walter of McEwensville, PA, his daughter, Christina Rafter, of S. Williamsport, PA, his step-daughter, Natasha Gapinski, of Davenport, FL, and his step-son, Lance Braughler, of St. Petersburg, FL.

Ed graduated from Williamsport High School in the Vocational Technical class in 1961. He served four years in the U.S. Navy with a rank of Boiler Tech 2 on the USS Dahlgren DLG-12. His ship made two tours of the Mediterranean Sea and participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade.  He was discharged from the Navy a few days before his ship was deployed to Vietnam.

As a boiler tech, he was unknowingly exposed to asbestos, which 55 years later led to his diagnosis of Mesothelioma cancer that caused his death.

After leaving the Navy, Ed had a variety of careers. He worked in several factories in the Williamsport, PA area. He was a driver for UPS. He worked in displays and as a security guard at several retail locations, including Sears, in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, FL. He was a server at the restaurant at a yacht club, and a host at Applebee's. He worked at Walt Disney World in custodial at American Adventure in EPCOT, recreation at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club, and animal programs and several food locations at Disney's Animal Kingdom. His last job before retirement was with Burger King.

Ed enjoyed many hobbies. He was self-taught in stained glass and oil paintings (over 100 paintings), created assemblages from wood and other objects, wrote a number of short stories, and made 24 stop-action and virtual reality videos using action figures.

After leaving Pennsylvania in 1985, Ed and Linda lived in St Petersburg, FL; Sarasota, FL; Davenport, FL; and Mesa, AZ. Sarasota was home for the past 20 years.

Interment will be in the Sarasota National Cemetery.  Ed was a very special man, a loving and thoughtful husband and father, and a good friend.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Ed may be made to either Moffitt Cancer Center, PO Box 23827, Tampa, FL 33623-3827; Florida Cancer Specialists, 1970 Golf St., Sarasota, FL 34236; or Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.