Nancy E. Fultz, 85, passed away at Vancrest of Ada on July 25, 2025. She was born February 24, 1940 in Bluffton to Myrton and Grace (Layton) Packer, and grew up in Lafayette. A 1958 graduate of Lafayette-Jackson High School, Nancy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ohio Northern University, and later, a Master’s in Education from the University of Dayton.

Nancy married the late Donald E. Fultz on December 16, 1966, and together they raised their six children: Chris (Evelyn) Fultz of Lima, Cindy (John) Wagner of Bluffton, Becky Slayter of Lima, Scott Born, Dan (Kenna) Fultz of Springfield, Ohio and Katie Ochoa of Bluffton.

A kindergarten teacher for 49 years, Nancy will be remembered for nurturing countless children. A particular highlight for her students was the annual "boat float" on the Fultz pond, and many of us have heard from former students, "I still have my boat!"

Nancy was an animal lover who always had multiple pets (in the house, in her classroom and in the barn), and was quick to accept the challenge to nurse back to health an orphaned rabbit, raccoon or anything else she stumbled across. She was proud that her maternal grandparents had been instrumental in the formation of the first 4H club in Ohio, and loved encouraging and working with a handful of her grandchildren who participated in various 4H projects, including the showing of the Nubian goats she so enjoyed raising.

A skilled pianist, Nancy had played routinely for services at English Lutheran Church, where she was a decades-long member; she especially enjoyed accompanying Don when he sang. When she lost much of her eyesight, she had to set aside several favorite hobbies including piano, sewing and genealogy research, and she learned to enjoy listening to audio books, frequently with at least one cat in her lap and a german shepherd close by.

Nancy is survived by her grandchildren: Joshua (Allie Andrews) Fultz, Abigail (Shane) Cash, Lindsey (Tyler) Wyman, Liza (Lily) Berry, Olivia (Aaron) Welch, Alizeah Slater, Nicole and Jennifer Thorburn, Emily Born, Esther (Logan) Howard, Hannah, Naomi, Talitha, Jacob, Chloe, and Daniel Fultz and Jocelyn and Genesis Ochoa. She was also blessed to have twenty great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother, Doug Packer of Cincinnati, a brothers-in-laws, Gary (Valery) Fultz and Al (Nancy) Smith and an especially loved niece, Stefani (Chad) Koontz and her family. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Don Fultz, a son, Scott Born, and her sister, Susan Eckenwiler.

Services will begin at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. Pastor David Glick officiating. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Beaverdam. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to charities for children and/or animal shelters.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/