Stan Clemens Obituary

Stan Clemens

Stan Clemens died at the age of 84 in the early morning Sunday, January 11, 2026, having lived a full and in some ways unexpected life.

Stan was born May 11, 1941, and grew up in Souderton, Pennsylvania, where his parents, grandparents, and generations before had lived. He was very active in sports and music through his high school years. He graduated from Bluffton College, where he met his wife, Joenita Shetler. He went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Indiana and Ph. D. in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina. Stan and Jo have lived in Bluffton for the past 40 years.

Stan was a lifelong learner, embracing opportunities to take on new challenges. He was a lifelong educator. Stan was also a philanthropist, art collector, husband, father, and grandfather.

Stan spent the first part of his career in the college classroom, with teaching positions at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois and Bluffton College in Bluffton. The focus of his teaching was as often to help his students learn how to learn as to convey information. He was part of a creative, innovative author team that wrote several math textbooks used in many schools across the United States.

Stan was involved in real estate and building projects for many years. These projects were motivated by the desire to develop creative approaches to unique challenges. One of the most notable early projects was the building of the Meetingplace of the Mennonite Church of Normal. It involved collaborating with other leaders in the church, facilitating the self-funding by the congregation and coordinating volunteer labor to complete a unique building.

Stan spent the final phase of his career as vice president of advancement at Bluffton University. This was a more formal engagement with his interest in philanthropy. Once again, Stan ventured into new territory, learning from others, sharing his knowledge, and applying creativity and vision. In his final months, Stan once again applied this combination to help create the Bluffton College Foundation, an organization formed to foster philanthropy and support the mission of Bluffton University. Stan had a simple, inclusive definition of philanthropy: "Voluntary action for the common good."

Stan Clemens and Jo Shetler married August 19, 1962. They have four children, Rachel, Jon (Kristin Sims), James (Jodi), and Steve (Rebecca Waltner Toews); six grandchildren, Anna, Peter, Isaac, Noah, Ira and Wendell. Stan is survived by his sisters, Beth Martinson and Louise (Terry) Lehman.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Dorothy (Ruth) Clemens; a son-in-law, Richard Goodenbour; and a brother-in-law, Rick Martinson.

Stan's service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Pastor Phil Yoder officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2026, at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton, and one hour prior to service Saturday at the church. Burial will take place prior to service at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Bluffton College Foundation or Mennonite Health Communities of Ohio.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.