Edward Kenneth Shepard, 57, passed away December 14th, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his family. He fought a brief and difficult battle with cancer but died peacefully with little pain. Ed, the youngest of six, was born in Alma, Michigan, on April 22, 1967. He attended Ferris, where he earned Bachelor degrees in Accounting and Computer Information Systems, as well as a Masters in Business Administration. For 39 years, he made Ferris his home, holding positions as varied as computer support and Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Enterprises; his final title was Director of Accounting. Ed knew Ferris from the roof of Cramer Hall to the steam pipe tunnels and built relationships with people across campus. He measured his success in personal connections. Above all else, Ed was fully devoted to his family. Every Sunday for over thirty years, up to five generations of the family would gather for dinner after church. In the past two decades, he took every opportunity to spend time with his wife and kids, rarely missing an event. Ed would spend his spare time making his famous candy, cheesecake, and maple syrup. He helped on his father-in-laws farm after work. He also enjoyed driving his family around the country for annual vacations, exploring 45 states with them. Ed was preceded in death by his father, Edward Lewis Shepard, sister, Lorna Kaufman, and brother, Emery Shepard. Ed will be waiting for his wife, Melinda Shepard, children, James, Jennifer, and Janessa Shepard, mother, Gloria (Elvin) Woodcock, brother, Terry Shepard, sisters, Evelyn Miller and Lorraine Crawford, closest friends and in-laws, Jim and Sue Goyings, brother-in-law, Jeff (Megan) Goyings, and several nieces and nephews, in Heaven. Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at The Woods Free Methodist Church, Stanwood. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 3-7:00 P.M. at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home, Big Rapids and on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Memorial contributions can be made to Stanwood Free Methodist Church for the purpose of supporting those with long-term medical-related expenses, or to Mid Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters to sponsor a child in Alma, MI. To leave a memory or share a condolence, please visit, www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Visitation Tuesday, December 17, 2024 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307 Funeral Service Wednesday, December 18, 2024 11:00 AM The Woods Free Methodist Church 7486 Stanwood Drive Stanwood,MI 49346