Frances L. Shetler

The service will be livestreamed.  This link will go live 5 to 10 minutes prior to the memorial service.

https://collegemennonite.org/

click the “Watch Live” button

Frances Leona Shetler, 97, passed away at Greencroft Gables, Goshen, on Sunday, June 8, 2025.  She was born June 20, 1927, to Willis LeRoy and Katherine (Hochstedler) Terwillegar.

Frances attended and graduated from Poseyville School near Midland, Michigan.  She enjoyed school and was an excellent student.  The schoolhouse was a mile from her parents’ farm.

On December 29, 1946, Frances married Leslie Shetler in Midland, Michigan, at the Midland Mennonite Church.  He preceded her in death on July 28, 2018 after 71 years of marriage.

Frances and Les were active members of the Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church in Pigeon, Michigan, for over 40 years.  Following their move to Goshen in 1989, they joined College Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Frances attempted to be a faithful steward of all the resources that were entrusted to her.  She was a homemaker who enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, canning, and collecting recipes, poems, and words of wisdom. Frances also loved reading, following current events, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and playing table games with grandchildren and friends.  Later in life she became an avid follower of the stock market, buying and selling stocks often using the proceeds to support her charitable giving.

Part of the legacy she left to her family was the value of hard work, frugality, ethical decision making, honesty, stewardship, living within your means, and a Jesus-centered discipleship, which was her source of quiet strength throughout life’s challenges.

Frances is survived by her two daughters:  Bonnie (Randy) Arends of Melvin, Illinois, and Ann Shetler of Pearland, Texas; and by her four sons:  Gary (Carol) Shetler of Goshen, Indiana; Clay (Rose) Shetler of Goshen, Indiana; Jay (Marilyn) Shetler of Phoenix, Arizona; and John (Joyce) Shetler of Ubly, Michigan; 13 grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and 7 great grandchildren; and two brothers:  Raymond Terwillegar of Midland, Michigan, and LeRoy Terwillegar of Greenville, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

Frances was preceded in death by her sister, Clara (Lloyd) Miller; a brother, Otis (June) Terwillegar; a grandson, Gregory Arends; and a daughter-in-law, Betty Shetler (John).

Contributions may be made in memory of Frances Shetler to College Mennonite Church in Goshen for the Jubilee Fund; https://collegemennonite.org/give or to Mennonite Mission Network in Elkhart, Indiana; https://www.mennonitemission.net/ .

A private family inurnment will take place at West Goshen Cemetery prior to the 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. visitation, Monday, June 16, 2025 in the Gathering Room at College Mennonite Church. A 12 p.m. memorial service will follow in the church sanctuary. The service will be live streamed.