Shirley L. Buchtel

LIGONIER — Shirley L. Buchtel, 75, of Ligonier, Ind., died at 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 13, 2010, at Goshen General Hospital following an extended illness.
Mrs. Buchtel grew up in the Goshen area and lived there until moving to Ligonier in 1962.
She worked as a telephone operator in LaGrange until retiring in 1978.
Mrs. Buchtel graduated from Goshen High School in 1953.
She enjoyed crocheting and collecting Eeyore memorabilia. She was an avid fan of NASCAR driver Ryan Newman.
She was born July 15, 1935, in Stroh, Ind., to Jesse and Gladys Ott. She married John R. Buchtel Sr. on September 19, 1958. He preceded her in death October 15, 1973.
Surviving are four children, Richard (Robin) Buchtel of Ligonier, Juliann (Danny) Staton of Cromwell, DeWayne (Angela) Buchtel of Cromwell and Julie (Dan) Geller of Ligonier; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Dennis Brumbaugh of Fort Wayne and Sherman (Marilyn) Dunafin of Sturgis, Mich.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Joe Buchtel in 1983; a grandson, Anthony Staton in 1988; a stepson, John Butchel Jr. in 1994; her parents; a brother, Truman Arver in 1997; and a sister, Berdella Crowell.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2010, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, with the Rev. Mel Harrell of the Ligonier Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m Thursday, December 16, 2010, at the funeral home.
Memorials are to the charity of the donor’s choice.