Luther Shetler was a mathematics professor at Bluffton College from 1950-1984
Luther Leroy Shetler of Bluffton died on Dec. 15, 2018. He was born on July 1, 1917, on a dairy farm near Goshen, Indiana, to Alvin P. and Sadie (Yoder) Shetler. He graduated from Goshen College in 1938 and married Geneva Stamm in Goshen on Dec. 22, 1940.
He received a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Indiana University and came to teach Mathematics at Bluffton College in 1950.
He retired from Bluffton College in 1984 and began 25 years of volunteering at Bluffton Hospital and Mennonite Memorial Home. During retirement he and Geneva enjoyed traveling and learning at elderhostels in the US, Central America and Europe. He was well known in northwest Ohio and Indiana as "The Bubble Man" for his lectures to churches and school groups linking mathematics and nature - usually ending by an audience member being enclosed in a bubble – if the bubbles were working that day.
Luther was a member of Bluffton First Mennonite Church.
He is survived by his wife of 78 years, 5 children: Joenita (Stanley) Clemens, Bluffton, Terry (Bonnie Wolfe) Shetler, Bellvue, Colo., Lu Derstine, Bluffton, Peter (Jan Bender) Shetler, Goshen, Ind., and Tami (Michael) Hardy, Bluffton. He has 14 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two nieces: Dorcas (Spencer) Haddock and Darla Schrock; and 2 nephews: Lincoln (Kathy) Schrock and Arlen (Eileen Murphy) Schrock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Dale Derstine, his sister, Lura (Titus) Schrock, and his nephew, Laurel Schrock.
Online condolences may be given at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted with Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, November 13, 2026
- 55th annual Carol Sing at Riley Creek UMC, Dec. 6
- Next Generation 911 announced by Hancock County
- Christine Denecker appointed to Ohio Humanities Council
- Community Electric Aggregation notices are in the mail to Bluffton customers
- Nov. 13 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup
- Letter: What a fall for our Bluffton Pirates
Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Bluffton Middle School Honor Roll for 1st Quarter, 2026-2027
- Bluffton alumni to discuss lives and vocations in ministry
- Letter: Honoring 20 years of land preservation in West Central Ohio
- Prairie restoration research program on Nov. 20
- Bluffton Lions to hear presentation on humanitarian and disaster relief
- Separate the wheat from the chaff: Multi-ingredient botanicals for cholesterol
- Bluffton Council recap: $5,000 donated for Blaze lights installation
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, November 2-8
- Veterans invited to Bluffton American Legion programs on Veterans Day
- James Raymond Harrod, Jr., 64, was a PGA professional
- Nathan Ulrey, 46, served in the Navy Seabees
- Letter: Thank you, Coach Richards
- Big Brothers Big Sisters launches 2026 year-end giving campaign
- Socktober drive collected 659 pairs for local distribution
- Jeanne Previte, 80, owned and operated Jeanne's Kitchen
- Bluffton Elementary Honor Roll for 1st Quarter 2026-2027
- Lego scarecrow earns GROB top honors from voters
- Former Blufftonite is lieutenant governor-elect of South Carolina
- University to stage costume drama that mixes emotion, humor and contemporary references
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll for 1st quarter of 2026-2027
- Nov. 13 chamber program on Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Monday, November 9, 2026
- Healing and life beyond incarceration explored at Forum
- Nov. 12 opportunity to learn Mahjong
- Door hanger craft class at Pandora library, November 17
- BPL after school movie, November 16
- Hailey's Wellness and Massage provide chair massages at Senior Center
- Bluffton area Women in Business Meeting November 19