After a full life of generosity and service to others, Peter Daniel Shetler died Monday, September 26, 2022 in Goshen, Indiana at the age of 65. Peter touched many lives through his kindness and helpful spirit. His death is grieved by many around the world.
Peter was born on January 20, 1957, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Luther Leroy Shetler and Geneva (Stamm) Shetler, the fourth of five siblings. He married his teenage sweetheart, Jan Bender Shetler, on April 18, 1977 at Camp Friedenswald. Together they attended Goshen College, Bluffton University and Peter eventually graduated from Utah State University in agronomy. Jan and Peter then served for 11 years with Mennonite Central Committee on the continent of Africa in Ethiopia, Zaire/Congo, and Tanzania. Their son Daniel was born in Ethiopia and second son Paul in Tanzania. After MCC service they attended graduate school at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Peter studied agroforestry. As Jan completed her doctoral research in Tanzania, Peter volunteered on a GIS project in the Serengeti National Park. Together with Peter’s brother, Terry, and sister-in-law Bonnie, they bought a dryland farm near Dove Creek, Colorado. They lived there for over three years before moving back to Goshen, Indiana in 1999 for Jan to begin her work as a history professor at Goshen College. In 2000, Peter began working for Bethany Christian Schools. In more than 20 years there, he oversaw facilities and technology. It was a place and community he loved, and where he died in an accident.
Peter was a citizen of the world and lived in many countries, including Jamaica, Haiti, Ethiopia, Zaire/Congo, Portugal, Tanzania, and Senegal. Everywhere he went, he delighted in meeting new people, learning new cultures, trying new foods, and making new friends. Peter was adopted as a beloved brother in many communities. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and exploring the outdoors with his grandchildren. He readily helped people and often shared food with them. He loved to laugh and make others laugh, and he was not afraid to cry. He was affable and kind, patient and loving. He could teach students how to butcher and how to use their devices responsibly. He could fix anything and once told a potential employer at a repair shop, “If you tell me what it’s supposed to do, I’ll make it work.” Wherever he lived Peter became an active member of a church community, using his physical and spiritual gifts daily to support others.
Peter is survived by his loving wife Jan Bender Shetler; children Daniel (Maytal Saltiel) Shetler, Paul (Rebecca) Shetler Fast; grandchildren Asiko, Madeline, Ari, Gideon, and Lena; siblings Joenita (Stanley) Clemens, Terry (Bonnie Wolfe) Shetler, Lu Derstine, and Tami (Michael) Hardy; many in-laws, nephews and nieces; and beloved adopted families around the world. He and Jan often opened their home to host international students, who often became like children to them. Peter is predeceased in death by his parents, Luther and Geneva Shetler; mother-in-law Naomi Bender; and brother-in-law Dale Derstine.
Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 2, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship. The funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 3, at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, starting at 9 a.m.
Online condolences may be shared at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the “Peter Shetler Fund” to support international students at Bethany Christian Schools.
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