LTC Ernest M. Shott

Ernest M. Shott, 87, of Lebanon, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon. He was the husband of Marilyn F. (Lux) Shott. They had celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in June. Born in Lebanon on April 25, 1937, he was the son of the late Ernest E. and Agnes B. (Tatar) Shott. Ernest graduated from Lebanon Catholic High School with the Class of 1955. Ernest retired from the PA Army National Guard at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) having served for 44 years, 6 months and 28 days. During his military service he served in various assignments of increasing responsibility. He earned his commission as a 2LT in 1964 after graduating from the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Class #4. Throughout his career, he served at the platoon level with 228th S&T Battalion (BN), rose through the ranks to Company Commander and then promoted to BN commander. In 1978 he was promoted to LTC at the 28th Infantry Division Mechanized (M) Chief of the Division Material Management Center (DMMC). After his service with the 28ID he assumed a command position with the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Academy (PNGMA) as the property accountability officer. As a newly promoted Warrant Officer, he rose to the prestigious rank of Command Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5). While serving at the 166th Regiment Combat Arms (CA), he was instrumental in the creation of the Pre-Warrant Officer course and served as the Commandant of the Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS). He facilitated the design and construction of the new Pennsylvania Military Academy (PMA) known today as the 166th Regiment, building 8-80 with a special addition labeled “the Ernie Room”. He was the longest serving Warrant Officer in the Regiment’s history. You can still find his helmet on display in the hallway of the Regiment. In addition, Ernest was also a board member of the PA National Guard Scholarship Fund (PNGSF) committee in which he was an integral part of the Scholarship Board. Even after retirement, he continued to support the scholarship fund. Ernest also was a member of the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corp for 30 years. He joined in 1985 by carrying the colors in the Honor Guard. You could count on seeing him standing by the goal line holding the American flag. He marched in many parades with the Corp and was the oldest Corp member to walk onto the field weekend after weekend. He was inducted into the Buccaneers Hall of Fame in 2012. He was a member of the Chapel of Four Chaplains along with many other Military Associations and social clubs. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Kathy M. Hutchings of Lebanon, David E. husband of Marie Shott of Myerstown and Michael L. husband of Yvette Shott of Jonestown; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Jeremy) Coleman, Emily Hutchings, Kameron Shott and Adrieanna Shott; great grandchildren: Evan Coleman, Ella Coleman, Elise Coleman, Alexander Breitner, Cecilia Stager and Arlo Anderson; six step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren; and sister Lynette M. Heckard of Lebanon. He was preceded in death by his brother Stephen M. Shott and sisters Marcella M. Eck, Kathy M. Shott and Linda K. Shott. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home, Jonestown. There will be a viewing at 9:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, E. Hanover Twp. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Ernest’s memory be sent to the PA National Guard Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to “PNGSF Scholarship” and sent to Building 9-54, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002.

LTC Ernest M. Shott

April 25, 1937 - September 10, 2024