Donivan Shetterly

Donivan Shetterly

In Loving Memory

Donivan Max Shetterly passed away on December 4, 2024, in Chandler, AZ. Don was a beloved brother, father, grandfather and friend to many people in Iowa, Ohio and Arizona. Born and raised in small towns of Iowa, Donivan's early years were filled with love, music, family and community. His often-shared memories are of the times he sang and danced with his brother and sisters as "The Shetterly Kids" at community and broadcast performances. Later, Don applied his incredible talents in glass physics and mathematics with work on cutting edge research and engineering in Northwest Ohio. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of spending time with family, friends and pets, sipping whiskey while rooting on the Toledo Rockets or Cleveland Browns, as well as cooking, singing, gardening, birding, traveling the world and experiencing new people, new cultures, nature, architecture, art and music.

Born to Henry and Corinne Shetterly (later Peterson), Don spent much of his younger life in Pella, Iowa, where he attended high school and higher studies at Central College, excelling in science and math. There he met and married Arminta "Mitty" Hunerdosse, of Indianola, in 1966. They welcomed their daughter, Julia, in 1967. Don joined Toledo's famous glass bottle manufacturing company Owens-Illinois in 1970 and settled in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. Don and Arminta welcomed son, Benjamin, in 1978. Don was involved in his community, mentoring as a Big Brother, leading the Technical Society of Toledo, giving blood, coaching educational programs, teaching, learning, and voting in elections. Don would eventually join glass bending and tempering innovator Glasstech, of Perrysburg, OH, where his talents would earn him numerous patents over a remarkable career, and where many of his professional friendships were forged. Moving to the Bowling Green, OH area in 1998, Don's next career phase would be with FirstSolar, a solar panel manufacturer in Perrysburg, where he joined in 2008. Don traveled extensively for business and in his post-retirement years with his second wife Lynette, including visiting his children and grandchildren in Arizona, Texas and the Pacific Northwest, as well as tours of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, attending Chautauqua events, art and history tours of the U.S. and Europe.

Don loved family and children with his whole heart, and his family made regular trips "back home" to the farms and towns of Iowa, making lifetime memories for all. First becoming a grandfather in 1996, Don adored his two granddaughters and grandson, and never hesitated to brag about his family in every Christmas letter. He remarried to Lynette Brown in 1997 and the blended family would bring him joy for the next 20 years, as he welcomed Lynette's siblings, children and grandchildren into the family.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Victor Shetterly; sister, Sonja Discher; wife, Arminta Shetterly; and son-in-law, Randall Clark. He is survived by his sister, Teresa Van Zante (Dave) of Mason City, IA; daughter, Julia Shetterly Clark of Tucson, AZ; son, Benjamin Shetterly (Michele Redden) of Hillsboro, OR; granddaughter, Alyssa Clark (Scott) of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren, Trenton and Aria Clark of Tucson, AZ; and his second wife, Lynette Brown, of Sylvania, OH.

A celebration of Don's life will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, 11 a.m., at the Farnsworth Metropark Indianola Shelter, in Waterville, OH. Internment of cremains will follow, at Riverside Cemetery in Maumee. All who knew and loved Don are invited to attend and share in the remembrance of his remarkable life.

Though Donivan may no longer be with us, his spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of all who were touched by his thoughtful compassion, brilliant scientific mind and generosity of kindness.