Edward Royden DeShields was born on October 29, 1932, in Pennsauken, NJ to the late Issacs & Henrietta DeShields. He departed this life on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 5 am. “Royden” as he was known to be called, was the 5th of 10 children, and attended Pennsauken Public Schools.

Royden was drafted into the United States Army in 1950, on his 18th birthday. He did his basic training at Fort Dix., NJ. He was transferred to Fort Belvoir, VA for engineer training. He served in Japan and Korea in the 7th Division as a 13th Engineer. After his tour, he was sent to Germantown, PA where he was prepared for an honorable discharge in 1953 as a Corporal. After being discharged from the Army, he met and married the late Barbara Jones; from that union one child was born, Natalie Patricia.

Edward worked and retired from the New Jersey Transit as a bus driver, after 30 years of service. He drove in many areas of New Jersey, and won numerous awards for safety driving. He made many friends along the way. In his spare time, he was always tinkering and fixing things. I remember him taking the engine apart on my VW Bug, in my grandma’s yard in Pennsauken, putting it back together, leaving out 2 parts and it started, and even he couldn't believe it. Give him a vacuum cleaner and he would give it back looking brand new. After retirement, Royden took up landscaping to keep himself busy. He did such a good job he started his own business, “Choppers”. I had one of the best lawns in Sicklerville. Another past time he enjoyed was fishing. He purchased a boat, and when he wasn't cutting grass in the summer, he and his buddies where off to Crisfield, MD, Foretisku, Bellmawr, and anywhere in between to catch “The Big One”; always coming home with some story, about the one that got away! He got me good one time. While he was out on the bay, he told me he dropped his car keys in the water, and couldn't get home. I was half way there when he called back, and said he was joking, I didn't speak to him for a week after that. His daily routine included watching “Let’s Make a Deal”, “The Price is Right”, and “Judge Judy”. If Tiger Woods was playing golf, he would surely be watching. He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading newspapers, books and other interesting materials which came his way.

Another joy of his life was the birth of his granddaughter Chanel Alexis; he would call her Shelly, and all she had to do was ask, and it was hers. He was so proud of her when she graduated from college last year.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Theodore DeShields, Ike Deshields and Chess DeShields; sisters, Victoria Thomas, Bette Jean Lee and Sandra Watson; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Royden is survived by a beloved family: daughter, Natalie Patricia; granddaughter, Chanel Alexis; brother, Harry DeShields; sisters, Virginia DeShields, & Marie Howard; niece, Tina Redd; nephew, Michael Hawkins and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He had many friends and will be especially missed and remembered by close friends, John Hurst, Kenny Mallet, Buster and George Adams.

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