Retired Bluffton elementary teacher, Geneva Shetler, 100, died surrounded by family on Sept. 13, 2019, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. 

CLICK HERE for a column "Remembering Geneva Shetler."

Geneva was born on a farm near Archbold, Ohio, and graduated from Archbold High School in 1936. She attended Goshen College, Indiana, where she met her husband-to-be, Luther Shetler.  They were married on Dec. 22, 1940.

The couple was married 78  years. Luther died July 1, 2017.

The Shetlers moved to Bluffton in 1950, where Luther began teaching at Bluffton College.

In 1967 she completed her degree from Bluffton College and taught third grade in Bluffton Elementary. Soon after that she attained a master’s degree in childhood education from Bowling Green State University.

Following retirement, she and Luther participated in 10 Elderhostel trips in the U.S., Central America and Europe.

She was a member of First Mennonite Church, Bluffton.

Survivors include five children: Joenita (Stanley) Clemens, Bluffton; Terry (Bonnie Wolfe), Bellvue, Colo.; Lu Derstine, Bluffton; Peter (Jan Bender), Goshen, Ind.; and Tami (Michael) Hardy, Bluffton, 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, a sister, Zelma Kauffman, a brother Duane (Betty) Stamm, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther; her parents, Gustav and Priscilla (Stuckey) Stamm; son-in-law, Dale Derstine, 4 sisters: Beulah Stockburger, Irma Short, Wilma Roth, and Grace Eicher; and 3 brothers: Paul, Harold, and Denver Stamm.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, followed by a memorial luncheon at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton. Private burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Bluffton University, Goshen College, Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio or First Mennonite Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted with Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.