Ella Mae Shetler 1914 - 2005

SHETLER, BENSON, TERWILLIGER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/23/2014 at 11:54:26

Sioux City Journal
22 April 2005

ONAWA, Iowa -- Ella Mae Shetler, 90, of Onawa died Thursday, April 21, 2005, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, with the Rev. Dennis Olsen officiating. Burial will be in Onawa Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time Monday at the funeral.

Ella was born May 1, 1914, in Reason, Okla., the daughter of Oscar W. and Caroline (Benson) Terwilliger. As a young child, she moved with her family in a covered wagon to Grant, Neb. She was raised in rural Nebraska and completed her high school education there.

She lived in various locations in Northwestern Iowa and was married to Evans McElroy in Onawa in the early 1930s. She moved to San Diego, Calif. in 1948, where she operated a day care service in her home for 25 years. In 1952, she married Ernest Creavler in San Diego. Ernest passed away in 1969.

She married Ray Shetler on Sept. 6, 1972, in Las Vegas, Nev. The couple enjoyed several tours and cruises around the world until Ray's death. She returned to Onawa in 2003 to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law.

She was a card shark in cribbage and poker, enjoyed bingo, camping, crocheting and was an avid bowler and golfer. She achieved a hole in one three times during her golfing years.

Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Patricia (McElroy) and Marlan Bettin of Onawa; a son and his wife, Bob and Leona McElroy of Story City, Iowa; five stepchildren in California; 17 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; a brother, David Terwilliger of San Diego, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and three sisters.

Memorials may be directed to Burgess Home Health/Hospice in Onawa or Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting.