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

John Ivan Schuler

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

Ivan graduated from Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif., in 1954. On Oct. 11, 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1956. After his service he earned his bachelor’s degree in science and physical education from California State in Long Beach, Calif., 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, 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.

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; three daughters, Laurie (Jim) Rogers, Winona Lake, Holly (Roy) Angle, Dublin, Ireland, and Jennifer (Scott) Van Cleave, Claypool. Also surviving are 11 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 a 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 noon on Friday, June 2, at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 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.

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

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.