Shetler, Mary Ellen Nafzinger (1896-1982)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 Oct 14 p. 11

Birth date: 1896 Apr 13

text of obituary:

MARY SHETLER

Mary Ellen Shetler, 86, of Pigeon, Mich. passed away Aug 25, 1982. She was born Apr. 13, 1896 in Wellman, Ia., the daughter of Moses and Elizabeth (Swartzendruber) Nafzinger.

On Oct. 5, 1921 she was united in marriage to Frank J. Shetler in Pigeon. She was a member of the Pigeon River Mennonite Church.

She is survived by her husband, Frank J., two sons, Carl W. of Bradner, Ohio and James F. of Tucson, Ariz.; one daughter, Miriam A. (Mrs. Wayne) Roth of Denver, Colo.; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church. Luke Yoder and Donald Patterson officiated with burial in the church cemetery.

Mary was very interested in books and education and had set a goal for herself. She was a member of the first graduating class of Eastern Mennonite High School. After graduation she attended a local college.

At the end of one year she began a teaching career. This career was interrupted by marriage and raising a family. After the children were older she returned to teaching and the completion of a B.A. degree. At age 65 when she retired, she had taught 33 years in the public schools. After retirement she taught two more years in Christian day schools.

Mary was also an avid Bible student and read many good books. She studied daily and shared here knowledge with many adults and children by teaching Sunday school and Bible school for many years.

Her love for God was manifested in daily life as she shared with people and gave a positive testimony of her faith.