Cecelia Kathryn Shantz

On May 23, C. Kathryn (Kate) Yoder Shantz, 95, of Greencroft Healthcare, peacefully passed away to her heavenly home. She was born on November 5, 1916, to Elmer L. and Bertha F. (Yoder) Yoder, West Liberty, Ohio. In early life Kathryn accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined the South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty, Ohio. When she moved to Goshen, Indiana, she transferred her membership to College Mennonite Church. In 1985, she married Stanley Shantz of Waterloo, Ontario. He preceded her in death in 1990. Kathryn is survived by her sister. M. Pauline Yoder, Goshen; a nephew, John Wesley (Sherry) Yoder, Beijing, China; step-children, Calvin (Helen) Shantz, Edmonton, Alberta, Nelson (Ruth) Shantz, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Elinor (Don) Gingerich, Elmira, Ontario, and Melvin (Karen Amos) Shantz, Montreal, Quebec. Kathryn also is survived by nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and brothers, Willis R and Winfred Lee. Kathryn graduated from Goshen College and Ball State University. She taught for 39 years, 19 years in Ohio before coming to Elkhart County where she taught for 20 years at Model School in Goshen and Ulery, Rice and Hawthorne schools in Elkhart. Kathryn's life revolved around church and mission work as reflected in her voluntary service, teaching Sunday School and Summer Bible School, Bible study, prayer life and daily trusting in the Lord. She saw the needs of others and quietly met them. She was also an accomplished seamstress and gardener. Friends may call from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at College Mennonite Church followed by an 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service. Pastor Pamela Yoder will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Half of Kathryn's ashes will be scattered in College Mennonite Church's Memorial Garden and half will be returned to Ontario to be buried with her husband. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Mission Network or Mennonite Central Committee.