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Sr. Mary Ellen
Schuhmacher, PHJC
June 14,1910 - December 3, 2001
Sister Mary Ellen Schuhmacher, PHJC, 91, died at 11:00 p.m. on Monday, December 3, 2001, in the Catherine Kasper Home, at the Community of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Donaldson, Ind.
The daughter of John and Mary Harbough Schuhmacher, Sister Mary Ellen was born in Hecker, Ill., on June 14, 1910.
She entered the convent on June 28, 1928, and professed her first vows on June 26, 1930.
Sr. held a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education and served the ministry of elementary education as a teacher for 40 years. She also did clerical work in Chicago and Ft. Wayne, Hospitals for eleven years, retiring in 1981 to the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson.
Sr. Mary Ellen is survived by two nieces and great nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Catherine Kasper Home to celebrate her life, on Wednesday, December 5, 2001, from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at the Catherine Kasper Chapel. Fathers Edward Konerman, S.J. and Anthony Gillespie will officiate.
Interment will be in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.
Esther L. Shaffer
August 6, 1919 - June 5, 2002
Esther L. Shaffer, 82, Shalley Drive., Plymouth , passed away at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2002. Esther had been in failing health for the past year; she died in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend .
Born in Bourbon, Ind., on Aug. 6, 1919 , she was the daughter of Lawrence and Pearl A. Miller Grossman. She was a life-long resident of Plymouth, graduating from Inwood School and Lincoln High School in 1937.
Putting her high school training in bookkeeping and secretarial skills to work, she was employed at Keiser Gypsum in Chicago for four years while her fiancé, Robert “Sam” Shaffer served in the United States Army during World War II.
Sam and Esther were married on April 21, 1946 , in Plymouth . In Dec. of 1947, became the proud mother of their only child, a daughter, Elizabeth, lovingly called Beth. From that time on, she devoted her entire life to the happiness and welfare of her husband and child. Her beloved Sam died on Aug. 26, 2001 .
Esther’s love for people and her service to them was evident in her secretarial responsibilities at the Plymouth Office Supply, the Marshall County Clerk’s office, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the County Highway Department and the Shaffer Construction Company. A tireless worker, she served the public well with her expertise and her cheerful personality.
She also worked as a volunteer with Bonnie Yeazel at the Child Daycare Center of Plymouth and for over 15 years at Miller’s Merry Manor and most recently with the Marshall County Red Cross.
She always enjoyed being with friends, especially “the Golden Girls,” a lunch group. She enjoyed knitting and loved a good game of Gin Rummy.
Esther is survived by her loving daughter, Beth and her son-in-law, Dick Webster, Bremen . Her grandson Michael Shively, his wife Paula, and their children, Seth and Morgan, all of Plymouth, survive as well.
Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents and her spouse.
Visitation with her family will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2002, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. in the funeral home on Sunday, June 9, 2002. The Rev. Brian Deckinger, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Donaldson, where Esther was a long time member, will officiate.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery
.
Memorial gifts in Esther’s memory may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Marshall County Red Cross.
Robert "Sam" Shaffer
October 3, 1915 - August 26, 2001
Robert F. “Sam” Shaffer, 85, a lifetime Plymouth area resident, has died after a brief illness, at 4:10 p.m., on Sunday, August 26, 2001.
Sam, who lived with Esther, his wife of 55-years, at 217 Shalley Drive, Plymouth, since 1976, died in the Emergency Room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
Born in Tippecanoe, Ind., on October 3, 1915, Sam was the son of John E. and Elizabeth A. Hardesty Shaffer. He graduated from Tippecanoe High School in 1933.
He first worked at Morris Lumber Co., as a yardman and in delivery with his brother Bud, and lifelong friend Robert Cook.
When World War II came, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving four years.
On June 6, 1944, with the 16th Infantry Division of the First Battalion, Sam landed on Omaha Beach where he was wounded and later was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
Once home, Sam and Esther L. Grossman were married in Plymouth on April 21, 1946.
He and his brother, Bud, formed the Shaffer Brothers Construction Company. They were well regarded in the field specializing in remodeling and room additions. He retired in 1978, but continued in the carpentry trio of Sam, Bob Cook and Bill Snyder until June of this year.
Three years ago Sam and Bill Snyder went to Americus, Georgia, to help on a Habitat for Humanity project.
He was also a Plymouth firefighter for 25 years, starting in 1955, and was part-time chief from 1967 to 1978. Mayor Chuck Glaub appointed Sam as Plymouth’s first full-time Fire Chief, serving from 1978 to 1980 when he retired. He was instrumental in the addition of the 1970, 80-foot Am LaFrance aerial truck that was just replaced.
A supporter of Plymouth’s Big Red sports teams, Sam belonged to the Plymouth Kilwinning Lodge #149, serving as Master in 1956. A member of Valley of South Bend Scottish Rite, the Ind. State Fireman’s Assoc., and was a life member of the V.F.W. #1162.
Sam is survived by his devoted spouse Esther and their loving daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth A. “Beth” and Dick Webster, Bremen.
Also surviving is a grandson, Michael C. and Paula Shively, Plymouth. Their great-grandson, Seth Shively, and great-granddaughter, Morgan Shively, survive as well.
Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Durward “Dude”, James W. “Bud” and Cloyse “Pete” Shaffer and two sisters: Donna B. Shaffer and Doris Anglin.
Visitation with Sam’s family will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2001, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
A Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m., following visitation.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2001, in the funeral home. The Rev. Brian Deckinger, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Donaldson, where Sam was a member, will officiate.
A special salute will be give at the Plymouth Fire House.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, where military honors will be accorded Sam by the VFW Post 1162.
Former Mayor Chuck Glaub said it best. “ Sam Shaffer was a gentleman. He will be missed by many.”
Memorial gifts may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Gladys F. Smith
May 9, 1908 - March 25, 2002
Gladys F. Smith, 93, of 501 Pennsylvania Ave., Plymouth, died at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2002, in her home of natural causes following an illness. She had been a resident of Plymouth for 30 years coming from Detroit, Michigan.
Gladys was born May 9, 1908, in West Sonora, Ohio, the daughter of John A. and Grace Mackey Hogston.
Gladys worked at various jobs over the years including working as a receptionist for her son-in-law, Dr. Walter R. Burns. She enjoyed being creative with ceramic, making many different items. Gladys was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Plymouth.
Surviving are a daughter, Betty & Walter Burns of Plymouth, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, they are: Granddaughter, Sharon Burns with her daughters, Michelle & John Miller and Kelsey Miller and her daughter, Christina Ecker, all of Plymouth, Grandson, Steve & Charlene Burns and their children Valerie and Austin all of Granger.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and one brother, Ernest Hogston.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, March 29, 2002 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. following the visitation at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. E. Dean Fager of the First United Methodist Church conducting the service.
Burial will be in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Gladys's memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
Gordon A. Smith
January 7, 1908 - November 12, 2001
Gordon A. “ Gordy” Smith, 93, died of natural causes at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, in the Walnut Creek Care Center, Plymouth. Gordy grew up in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, but had spent most of his life in the Rochester, Plymouth and Argos areas.
Born the son of Curtis E. and Etta Fay Gordon Smith, he was born on Jan. 7, 1908, in Tiosa, Ind. He was educated in Michigan schools and later attended a drafting school at night.
On June 15, 1930, at her parents home in Fulton County, Ind., Gordy and Lola F. Munn were married in a double ceremony with Lola’s sister Ethel, and Gilbert Simons, by the Rev. Ralph Handchew.
Gordy’s first job, for 15 years, was as a foreman at Edwards Iron Works in South Bend. He farmed for several years and then became a self-employed contractor doing business as Smith Remodeling Service. Later he became the first building inspector for Marshall County.
An avid fisherman, Gordy enjoyed woodworking, rabbit hunting and being with his family.
He loved to travel and visited most of the United States and a number of foreign countries.
Gordy was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren where he was a Deacon for six years. He was also a member of Gideons International and was on the Boards of Directors of the Marshall County REMC and Farmer’s Mutual Insurance.
He is survived by his Lola, his wife of 71 years and by their two daughters and sons-in-law: Doris L. and Don Davidson, Inwood, Ind., and Norma Jean and Dwight Carlisle, Fresno, Calif.
Eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchild also survive together with four sisters and a brother. The sisters are Thelma Peddycord, North Liberty, Ind., Miriam and Don Badgley, South Bend and Ardelle Campbell and Helen Durham, both of Mishawaka, Ind. His brother is Paul Smith of Elkhart.
Gordy is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Harold D. Smith.
Visitation will be on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services will be in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2001. The Rev. Alice Archer, pastor of the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren will officiate.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, Ind.
Memorial gifts in Gordy’s memory may be made to Gideon International and the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren.
