FORT WAYNE – Shirley Claire Detwiler, 82, passed away June 19, 2012.
She was born Feb. 15, 1930, in Goshen, to Wilbur and Helen Gorsuch Whittle. She married Erwin L. Detwiler, who survives.
She graduated from Goshen High School in 1948. As a young lady, she was a percussionist in the Elkhart Symphony Orchestra. She was a dedicated drummer and played regularly throughout her life. She was very active in Republican Women, Order of the Eastern Star, Boy and Girl Scouts and the Logansport Rose Society. Her love of animals, especially dogs, inspired her to become a lifelong member of the SPCA and Humane Society. She was also an honorary member in Valparaiso University’s Alpha Phi Delta Sorority. She served as a crossing guard for 17 years and was appointed to the Porter County Board of Health. She enjoyed camping, the Chicago Bears and loved entertaining family and friend. She was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.
Also surviving are two sons, Michael (and spouse Linda) Hamlin and Timothy Scott (and spouse Cheryl) Hamlin, all of Churubusco; two daughters, Gail (and spouse Ron) Bussard, Wabash, and Stacy (and spouse Kevin) Geesaman, Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Whittle Bartholomew.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at North Webster United Methodist Church, 7822 E. Epworth Forest Road, North Webster, with the Rev. Dave Smitley officiating. Burial will be in Violet Cemetery, Goshen.
Calling is from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. ***** Memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County or North Webster United Methodist Church.
