Shelly Eric Sandau, 72, affectionately known as "Uncle Putz", entered into eternal peace August 27, 2024, at UPMC Erie, PA, following a brief illness.

Shelly was born on September 11, 1951, in Yankton, SD and grew up with his large family in Gayville, SD where he graduated from Gayville High School in 1969. Upon finishing school, he began a lifelong career working in sales before retiring as head of sales for LD Management in Columbus, OH.

Shelly enjoyed coin collecting, driving his golf cart around his home community of Sun City, Bluffton, SC, and watching classic TV shows and westerns; he loved being a father and spending time with his young nephew Aron while at his Ripley, NY summer home. Shelly had a true penchant for teasing and ribbing those he loved.

Shelly is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Liz Harte of Bluffton, SC and Ripley NY, son, Matthew Sandau of Broomfield, CO; sisters, Lori McConnell (Dean) of Phoenix, AZ and Sheila Biehl (Bill) of Port Lions, AK and brother, Larry Buffington (Cherie) of Gayville, SD; sisters-in-law Sheila Harte-Dmitriev (Vladimir) of Bel Air, MD, Eileen Carlson (Chris) of Jamestown, NY, brother-in-law, Chris Harte of Woodbury, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Shelly was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Buffington and Adolph Sandau, sisters Char and Sherry, Brothers Alan and Steve and his loving daughter, Ashley. There will be a celebration of life on September 7, 2024, starting at 2:00 at 20 W. Main Street, Ripley, NY.