John Shetler

Dad was born in Sugar Creek, Ohio (at least that’s what his birth certificate says – he always said it was Wilmot, Ohio) on January 7, 1925 to Abe Shetler and Malinda Miller Shetler. He comes from a huge family of many brothers and sisters.

Dad attended school thru 8th grade. Times were difficult for Dad during his childhood. During the Great Depression Dad lived for a time on the Zuercher where he met Aunt Ruth.

When a young adult on December 22, 1943, Dad enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served during the Pacific Campaign of WWII. He was a nose gunner in a B24J. He Flew 48 missions. He was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945. Dad received one Bronze Star and one Silver Star in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and one Bronze Star in the Philippines Liberation and the Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Cluster. Dad was proud of his service but very rarely mentioned. He was “just doing his job”.

Dad married mother, Pauline Shaffer, in April, 1946 after eloping to Kentucky.

They have 4 daughters; Collen Marie, Kathleen Joy, Carol Denise and Barbara Ann. Colleen and Kathy predeceased Dad. They have 8 grandchildren: Leslie, Debbie, Suzy, Eddie, Michelle, Brad, Alina and Antonio. Eddie, Debbie and Alina predeceased him. Dad has 9 Great-grandchildren and 3 Great Great-grandchildren with another arriving March 2024. Forgive me if I forgot anyone.

Dad was a farmer in Ohio before completing an air conditioner repair correspondence course and moving his family to Arizona in 1964. He retired from Sears at the Colonnade as head of maintenance. He enjoyed his retirement years with mother until her death in February 2015.

The last few years have been trying for Dad. His long, eventful life has come to its end.

A funeral service for John will be held Monday, October 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 East Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ShadowMountainMortuary.com for the Shetler family.