Sue's Obituary
Sue Ellen (Schafer) Medley, 77, passed away at home on April 7, 2026, under the loving care of her husband and children. She lived a beautiful and giving life.
Sue adored babies and dogs and was the consummate helper, always putting others before herself. “What do you need?” was a constant refrain. Beautiful, humble, famously frugal, and endlessly creative, she sewed the best Halloween costumes, expertly canned large quantities of homegrown vegetables, and had a remarkable ability to pack the most into the smallest spaces and containers. Though she preferred a modest life, she kept an immaculate home and yard and could work circles around anyone—even in flip-flops. Her family and wide circle of friends will forever miss her thousand-watt smile, warm heart, and easy laugh.
Sue was born on June 8, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the youngest child of Louis and Viola (Roemke) Schafer. Though the baby of the family, at 5'10" she towered over her siblings. Raised on a large family farm in Woodburn, Indiana, she learned early the value of hard work. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and graduated from Woodlan High School in 1966, later attending Rudae's School of Beauty in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
In 1985, Sue married the love of her life, Tim Medley, in Attica, Indiana, where she spent most of her adult life. In later years, she enjoyed lake life and RV travel at Raccoon Lake in Rockville, Indiana; Lake Cumberland, Kentucky; Williston Crossings in Williston, Florida and The Glades in Moore Haven, Florida.
Throughout her life, Sue held many roles—homemaker, beautician, sous chef, detasseling crew leader, construction laborer and landscape foreman at Atlas Excavating, and office assistant at Attica Jr./Sr. High School. Her greatest joy, however, came from aiding a special student, Stephanie, during her junior and senior high school years and caring for her grandchildren and the many children entrusted to her care.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Stella, Shermie, and Willard Schafer.
She is survived by her husband, Tim, of Battle Ground, Indiana; her sister, June Schafer Jones, of Cumming, Georgia; her children, Doyle (Melissa) Allison of West Point, Indiana; twin daughters René Allison Kougel (Dale) of Fishers, Indiana, and Donya Allison of St. Louis, Missouri; Elizabeth (Medley) Lewen (Kenneth) of Blaine, Minnesota; Brian (Cindy) Medley of Battle Ground, Indiana; and bonus daughter Christina Moore of Lafayette, Indiana. She is also survived by her grandchildren, McKenzie and McKayla Barber; Max and Dane Allison; Tracy (Adie) and Olivia Medley; Rowan and Kell Lewen; and Ella Clark and Jon Poynter; as well as two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Humane Society of Greater Lafayette, or a charity of one’s choice.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston; Chaplain Ryan Buikema to officiate.
A Celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at McGraw's Steak Chop & Fish House from 1:00 - 4:00 pm (2707 South River Road, West Lafayette, IN).
