Wauneta A. Suter, 81 of Pandora died Jan. 19, 2011, at her residence Pandora. Although in declining health over the past six months, she lived a life full of activities travel and creativity.
She was born on Aug. 11, 1929, in rural Medina County, Ohio to Jay and Eva Garra Root. On Nov. 27, 1952 she married Gene Suter who preceded her in death April 13, 1988.
Mrs. Suter was a member of Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, where she taught Sunday School for the Living Faith Class. She also enjoyed teaching at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.
Mrs. Suter graduated from the Ohio State University and began her teaching career in Vanlue and Bluffton. She taught junior high social studies a Pandora-Gilboa Local Schools for 28 years, retiring in 1994.
Many of her students will remember her teaching antics - including eating "chalk" and cutting the word "can't" out of the classroom dictionary.
She was an avid and creative quilter, making over 100 quilts and a whole boatload of wall hangings in her lifetime. Her creative work was also enjoyed by hundreds of annual visitors to the Suter Corn Maze since 1999.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Jerry and Nancy Suter of Pandora, Alice (Suter) and Mike Hackworth of Pemberville, Kathy (Suter) and Scott Michelich of Morrow, Joe and Joyce Suter of Pandora and Janice (Suter) and Scott Schroeder of Woodville.
Survivors also include two brothers, Darl and Gene Root and a sister, Lois Notter.
Her sixteen grandchildren, include Tom (Christie) Suter, Amy (Tony) Butte, Mark (Andrea) Suter, Mary (Justin) Hackworth Grime, Julie (Jim) Hackworth Grafmeyer, Sharon (Craig) Hackworth Voros, Angie Hackworth, James Michelich, Jacob Suter, Jason (Allyssa) Suter, Joanna Suter, Jesse Suter, Ryan (Anjana) Schroeder, Jeremy (Heather) Schroeder, Tyler Schroeder and Lynne Schroeder.
She is also survived by eight great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Tim Suter and Apphia Michelich. She was also preceded in death by Leonard Stechschulte, a special friend and companion.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora. Rev. Dennis Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to: WTLW TV44, Bluffton Public Library or Findlay Area Youth for Christ. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
