Jewel Lamb Stetler Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mrs. Jewel Lamb Stetler, 84, of Rising Sun, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening, September 16, 2014, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 29, 1930, in High Point, North Carolina, a daughter of the late John Penn and Cora (Richardson) Lamb. Jewel was the eighth child in a family of 12 and grew up on a farm near Asheboro, North Carolina. When just a teenager, someone invited her family to a brush arbor meeting where she was gloriously converted. She soon learned to "talk to God" and listen for His leadership in her life. One of those divine directives was her distinct impression that she should attend Bible college. In the fall of 1948 God providentially worked things out for her to attend God's Bible School & College in Cincinnati, Ohio. While there, she met Kenneth P. Stetler from Attica, Indiana, and they were married on July 21, 1950. Soon after their marriage, Kenneth began pastoring and later was hired as a professor at the Bible College, a position that continued for most of his life. Their home was blessed with six children, and Jewel's "ministry" quickly became the responsibility of caring for those children and supporting Kenneth's pastoral and teaching duties. Together, they served five different churches, touched the lives of hundreds of Bible college students, and reared a family that has followed in their footsteps. After Jewel's own children were reared, she turned to a "calling" of helping other families. Her home became an open door to many parents who entrusted her with the care of their children. While this arrangement made it possible for her to save money towards retirement, she also used it as an opportunity to minister to those she helped. Long after baby sitting hours were over, parents would often still be sitting on her couch listening to her godly counsel. She never advertised her services, but she would readily declare that God sent people her way - doctors, lawyers, and other professional people who had little or no church exposure. What began as mere daycare, often became an opportunity to share timeless Bible principles. When retirement years caused Kenneth and Jewel to leave Cincinnati, they moved to Rising Sun, Indiana. Jewel lost mobility and was not able to walk for several years. Her life of ministry, however, did not stop with her handicap. From her electric wheelchair, she would visit neighbors, stop at yard sales, and talk to people. Her telephone and pen became tools of influence. Letters and phone calls were the connecting links to those she cared for. She loved her family, her friends, her neighbors, and her church, and everyone reciprocated that love. Jewel's life was an example of true godliness. She lived for God and others. Her humble roots and her simple lifestyle did not hinder her from impacting the lives of others. On September 16, 2014, her earthly journey ended, but her influence remains! She has joined Kenneth, who left us just one month ago, on the shores of God's eternal home. Truly, she showed us how to live on our journey toward living forever! Jewel is survived by her six children, P. Daniel (wife: Joan) Stetler of Hobe Sound, FL, David (wife: Marsha) Stetler of Mt. Airy, NC, Darrell (wife: Regina) Stetler of Burlington, KY, Frances Stetler of Penns Creek, PA, Stephen (wife: Beth) Stetler of Edinburg, TX and Trilinda Stetler of Rising Sun, IN; 16 Grandchildren, Aimee (husband: Chad) Snider of Altamont, KS, Paul Stetler of Hobe Sound, FL, Elisa (husband: Mark) Calderon of Oklahoma City, OK, Julia Stetler and Sarah Stetler both of Hobe Sound, FL, Brent (wife: Denisa) Stetler of Frankfort, IN, Kendall (wife: Sherri) Stetler of Liberty, SC, Kelly Stetler and Benjamin (wife: Stacey) Stetler both of Hobe Sound, FL, Alisha Stetler of Mt. Airy, NC, Darrell Lee (wife: Elizabeth) Stetler II of Oklahoma City, OK, Merrilee (husband: Brant) Luther of Alliance, OH, Sherilyn (husband: Andrew) Stroud and Kenneth Agan Stetler both of Burlington, KY, Kent Stetler and Maria Stetler both of Cincinnati, OH; great-grandchildren, Gracie, Darrell Lee III, Heath, Caleb, Gideon, Brett, Brooke, Bryland, Wilson, Marshall and soon to arrive, Clarke Daniel; one brother, Frank (wife: Jackie) Lamb of Asheboro, NC; two sisters, Evelyn Thornton of Martinsville, VA and Bonnie (husband: Earl) Smith of West Milton, PA; a sister-in-law, Mary Lamb of Randleman, NC and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Kenneth P. Stetler; siblings and their spouses, William “Bill” (wife: Georgia) Lamb, John (wife: Gladys) Lamb, Gurna (wife: Peggy) Lamb, Cora (husband: James) Lanier, Woodrow “Woody” (wife: Alice) Lamb, George Lamb, two infant brothers and a brother-in-law, Ed Thornton. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Burlington Bible Methodist Church, 6529 Rogers Lane, Burlington, KY, with Jewel’s four sons officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hedge Cemetery in Rising Sun, Indiana. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at the church and an hour prior to the service Saturday. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home, New Castle, Indiana. You are invited to send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Mrs. Jewel Lamb Stetler.

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Jewel Lamb Stetler

July 29, 1930 - September 16, 2014