J. Ivan Schuler

John Ivan Schuler Jr. of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, Indiana passed away at 6:25 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 88.    

Ivan was born on February 16, 1935, in New Vienna, Ohio to Nancy (Cast) Schuler and John Ivan Schuler, Sr.  He married Carol Ann Davis on July 25, 1958, they shared 58 years of marriage before she passed away on December 17, 2016.  Ivan was blessed to have met someone new to share his life and married Diana Marie (Miller) Kehler on November 15, 2018, who survives. 

Ivan graduated from Banning High School in Wilmington, California in 1954.  On October 11, 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1956.  After his service he earned his BA in science and physical education from California State in Long Beach, California and later received his Master’s degree in education.  Ivan taught and coached at Biola University in California for many years and in 1977 moved his family to Winona Lake, Indiana where he served as the athletic director for Grace College for a number of years.  He always enjoyed teaching and also taught at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, Indiana.

He loved the fellowship of his church family at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, was a member of North Webster American Legion Post 253, a longtime member of the Morning Optimist Club and a Grace College Lancer Hall of Fame Member.  Ivan loved his family and will be dearly missed by those who loved him.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Diana Marie Schuler (Winona Lake, IN); three daughters, Laurie (Jim) Rogers (Winona Lake, IN); Holly (Roy) Angle (Dublin, Ireland); and Jennifer (Scott) Van Cleave (Claypool, IN).  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Thad, Jake, Jordan, Mallory, Stan, Ivan, Lauren, Jade, Ellis, Kolman, and Avery; eight great-grandchildren, Veyda, Alek, Isaac, Malachi, Aaron, Keoni, Jaxon, and Maesie; and her sister, Dolores Columbus (California).  He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Carol and two brothers, Dave and Jim Schuler. 

Ivan’s life will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow.  Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10:00 – 12:00 noon at the church. 

A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw with military rites conducted by members of the American Legion Post #253 of North Webster and active-duty members of the Navy Honor Guard.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.   

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, Indiana  46590 and designated to the Athletic Department.

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