Ernest R. "Ernie" Shuler Jr.

January 24, 2021

Ernest Rhoad Shuler, Jr. passed away Sunday, January 24. The Aiken native was the only child of the late E.R. Shuler, Sr. and Kathryn Holliday Shuler. Ernie was a graduate of Aiken High School and went to the University of South Carolina where he graduated with a a degree and pharmacy. He also did graduate studies in pharmaceutics and hospital pharmacy. During his years at USC he also met a charming young undergraduate pharmacy student named Kathy Kirby whom he courted and married in 1974. During their 46 year marriage they had two children, Kathryn Elizabeth Shuler (Katie) and Ernest Andrew Shuler (Andy). Andy, with his wife Kara, blessed him with two grandsons, Chase Andrew and Reid Thomas. Ernie spent his professional career working in hospital and retail pharmacies, first in Columbia and then in the Florence area. He also taught pharmacology to nursing students at Florence/Darlington Tech. One of the highlights of his career was the years he spent working as an inspector for the SC Board of Pharmacy. As a member of Trinity UMC he served in a variety of leadership positions, particularly as chairman of the administrative board and chairman of the SPRC. An avid music lover, he shared his musical talents in the choir, the handbell choir and as a substitute organist. Funeral services will be at Trinity UMC on Wednesday, January 27 at 11 am with visitation following the service. He will be buried on Thursday in Aiken. In lieu of flowers make donations to either the Trinity UMC endowment fund or the Darlington County Free Clinic. Arrangements are being handled by Kistler Hardee Funeral Home of Darlington. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com