Vickie J Shell

Vickie J. Shell, 76, a long-time resident of Celina, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Otterbein Nursing Home in St. Mary’s, Ohio.

She was born on August 20, 1948 in Decatur, Indiana to the late Harry H. and Devona L. (Painter) Shell.

Vickie was a member of Willshire Union United Methodist Church where she served her church as the organist for over 50 years; the AMVETS Auxiliary Post 99 in Vandalia, Ohio; Mary’s Music Club in Celina; Women of the Moose Chapter #388 in Celina, and the Celina Women’s Bowling League where she received many accolades for her accomplishments.

Vickie was a 1966 graduate of Parkway High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Defiance College in 1970. Following her graduation from Defiance College, she taught at Marion Local and New Knoxville Local Schools for a shorter period of time. She then began a distinguished teaching career in 1975 at New Bremen Local Schools where she taught high school German, History, English, and Reading until her retirement in 2015.

In her spare time, Vickie continued to be a positive influence in the lives of her students. She accompanied them on many class trips, including Germany; Frankenmuth, Michigan; She was also a longtime piano teacher for many people in the Willshire / Rockford / Celina area. She was devoted to her church by using her talents to benefit others. This included being a lay delegate for the Lakeside Methodist Church Conference for many years in addition to serving as a counselor at Camp Wesley in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Survivors include her niece, Vicki Jean Buckmaster of Bradenton, Florida; nephew, Gary Buckmaster of Dallas, Texas; nephew, Gregg Buckmaster of Rockledge, Florida; several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Arley (Esther) Buckmaster and her sister, Margo (Joe) Broome; niece Cynthia Buckmaster and nephew, Brad Shell.

Funeral services for Vickie will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, with Pastor Bill Halter officiating. Burial will follow in Willshire Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be given to New Bremen Educational Foundation or Grand Lake Hospice thru the funeral home with donations being sent to the Decatur office.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana