Teresa Marie Swarthout Shaffer

Teresa Marie Swarthout Shaffer, Tuscon, Ariz., formerly of Winona Lake, and Cuba, N.Y., lost her five-year battle with ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Teresa was born July 15, 1950, in Cuba, to Merle Ward and Elizabeth Agnes Wood Swarthout. She married Roger Shaffer Aug. 14, 1971.

Teresa was a high school math teacher at Lakeland Christian Academy in Winona Lake for 26 years, where she was often referred to as Momma Shaffer. Her other loves include family, friends, gardening and canning, church and singing in choir.

Teresa is survived by her husband, Roger; and five children: Michele (Alan) McCrum, Pierceton; Marlise (Levi) Burkholder, Wakarusa; Carus (Erica) Shaffer, Elkhart; Marah  (David) Grant, Warsaw; and Meghan (William) Harman, Tuscon, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; siblings, Patricia (Melvin) Bradfuhrer, Lakeview, N.Y.; Tom (Carianne) Swarthout, Salamanca, N.Y.; Mary (Tim) Botens, Black Creek, N.Y.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents and a brother and brother-in-law, Michael (Evelio Cuellar) Swarthout.

A memorial open house will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lakeland Christian Academy, 1093 S. CR 250E, Winona Lake. Appropriate COVID guidelines will be maintained.

Memorials to Lakeland Christian Academy.