Juanita C. Culver, 93, of Chalmers, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Indiana University Medical Center of Lafayette.

She was born August 5, 1923 to Beryl C. and Irene Stephans Shell at home in rural Chalmers, IN. She spent 12 years in the Chalmers School system graduating in 1941. Juanita was attending Purdue University, when on December 7th the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

She married Ray E. “Sparky” Culver on October 4, 1942 in the Chalmers Methodist Church. Following the end of the war, she and Ray farmed both livestock and grain until they retired in 1990. After retiring they spent the winter months at Emerald Lake in Clermont, Florida. For many years she and Ray traveled to Ely Minnesota to fish. Ray passed away January 6, 2017.

Reading was her passion. She belonged to the Chalmers Book Club where she reviewed yearly. She was a charter member of the Chalmers Community Church where she served on the Mission Board, Spiritual Life Board and various offices in Women’s Christian Fellowship. She also taught both children and adult Sunday school classes. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts.

She is preceded in death by her parents Beryl and Irene, her husband, Ray; a sister, Evelyn (and her husband, Phil Magner, infant twin sisters that died shortly after birth; a brother, Harold Shell (and his wife, Ruth); a son-in-law, Raymond Parrish and infant great-granddaughter, Gabriella Culver.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Tully, Daniel (Joyce) Culver, Douglas Culver, Susan (Wayne) Speicher and Julie Parrish, 15 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren: Connie (Don) Vauters, Ashley and Taylor (Steve Toyra); Bill (Naty) Tully, Romina, Isabella; James (Gretchen) Tully, Hannah, Ruth, Esther, Noah and Elijah; Timothy (Laura) Tully, Josiah, Joshua, Elizabeth, Abigail, and Anna Joy; Jeremy (Erin) Tully, Sara, Kara, Grace, Luke, Chase, John, Joseph, Jerin, and Teddy; Shane (Monica) Culver, Peyton, Rielly, Mallory, Ellie, Corrie and Beckett; Scott (Michelle) Culver, Isaac, Autumn, Paul and Bethany; Tara (David) Mason, Aaron and Tennessee; Tawny Culver, Ethan Culver and Brenda Culver; Jason (Anna) Speicher, Leiana, Moses; Christy Speicher; Matthew (Lindsay) Speicher, Elias, Liam, Grace and Siena; Ray Parrish, Jr; and a sister-in-law, Agnes Culver.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Chalmers Community Church; Pastor Bill Henderson to officiate. Interment to follow in Chalmers Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Chalmers Community Church.

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