Stella Ethel Shaffer, 91, of rural Columbia City, passed away at 7:40 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at StoryPoint in Fort Wayne, where she had been a resident since 2017.

Born on August 23, 1933, in Whitley County, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Lee and Eva (Snepp) Walker.  Growing up near Coesse, where she started school, the family then moved to Washington Twp., where she completed her formal education at Washington Center School.

On November 11, 1950, she married Joseph D. Shaffer.  They made their home on a farm in Jefferson Twp., raising four daughters.  After 61 years of marriage, Joseph died on February 11, 2012.

A farm wife, she maintained the household and assisted on the farm.  She is remembered as a great cook with her signature soup recipes.  An accomplished seamstress, she made clothes and often altered pre-made clothing to fit her exact standards.  In her senior year, she liked to read romance novels and watch the evening game shows on TV.

She is survived by her daughters, Penny Shaffer of Indianapolis, Pamela (Carl) Emley of Roanoke, Paula (Ellis) Sturgill of Huntington, and Polly (David) Cox of Tomball, TX; five granddaughters, one grandson and three great-great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Autumn; sisters, Edna DePoy, Gladys Gamble, and Grace Scott. and a brother, Lee Walker

The funeral service is at noon on Saturday (June 7th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is beside her husband at the South Whitley Cemetery.  Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the funeral service Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Stella's honor are to the Humane Society of Whitley County.