Susan C . “Suze” Walter of Dover, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, April 10, 2024, surrounded by her family, in the home she and husband Kenny had once dreamed of building in Winfield. A lifelong Dover Tornado, Suze was born on March 8, 1937 to Dr. Max and Kate (Keplinger) Shaweker of West 12th St. in Dover.
When Suze was 9, Dr. Max returned from 5 years of service during WWII and built the Shaweker cabin on the Tuscarawas River, where Suze spent summers with her sisters, Friday nights with her teenage friends, and eventually her early married life with high school sweetheart and husband of 60 years, Kenny Walter. When they got married on October 28, 1956, Kenny and Suze had very little, but they had each other.
They soon had much more in the blessing of a full house of 5 children, who Suze raised with such skill and love that one could only say she was made to be a mother. Many beyond her family have been the lucky recipients of her love, including Suze’s students at Barrs Mills Amish School, where Suze realized her dream of teaching grades 1-4 for 10 years. She maintained dear friendships with many of her students throughout her life.
Suze was a faithful member of the First Moravian Church of Dover and the Chancel Choir, where she shared her steady alto voice for decades. She was just as faithful in following her kids and grandkids to the gymnasiums of Tuscarawas County and beyond, where her beautiful voice could be heard singing the national anthem before each and every game.
Suze is survived by her 3 sons and 2 daughters; Max (Missy) Walter of Benzonia Township, Michigan; John Walter of Winfield; and Scott (Cyndi) Walter, Wendy (Bret) Hostetler, and Laurel (Tim) Mullet all of Sugarcreek; as well as her sister Barbara (Al) Rinder of Chagrin Falls. Suze was preceded in death by her adored husband Kenny Walter, and elder sisters Mary Jane Trustdorf and Nancy Conoley.
Suze and Kenny’s legacy includes 13 grandchildren; Chase (Courtney) Walter, Clay Walter, Jason (Sarah) Bravard, Andrew (Lisa) Hostetler, Lucas (Jeanette) Hostetler, Caleb (Natalie) Hostetler, Tyler Walter, Katie Walter, Jenna Walter, Mattie Walter, Sydney (Gary) Byas, Lizzie Mullet, Drew Mullet; and 6 great-grandchildren, Rylan Hostetler, Kenny Hostetler, Ruby Hosteler, Jackson Bravard, Alex Bravard, and Nolan Hostetler.
A private burial will take place for family at Bunker Hill Cemetery, where Suze will be laid to rest beside Kenny, overlooking the hills of Winfield. The family invites you to join a Celebration of Her Life on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM, held at the First Moravian Church of Dover. A time for being together, laughing, and sharing memories will follow in the Moravian Church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests tax-deductible contributions to the Music Endowment Fund of the First Moravian Church. For many years, Suze used her voice to celebrate God and share Moravian music. This fund builds on her gifts, promising the blessing of joyful sound for generations to come. Checks can be made payable to First Moravian Music Endowment Fund at 319 N. Walnut St., Dover, Ohio 44622.
Toland-Herzig Funeral Homes & Crematory
803 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com
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