Elna C. (Schaper) Fuhrmann, 88 years old of Hoagland, Indiana, passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in the Woodview Healthcare located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Elna was born on Friday, February 26, 1926 in Allen County, IN the daughter of the late Gerhardt Schaper and the late Lydia (Witte) Schaper. She married Gerald Fuhrmann on May 31, 1947 in New Haven, IN and he survives. Elna was baptized at Martini Lutheran Church on March 14, 1926 and confirmed also at Martini on April 2, 1939. Following her marriage to Gerald in 1947, Elna became a member of the St. John Lutheran Church-Bingen in Decatur, IN until 2010, when she and Gerald became members of the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne, IN following their move to that area. She was a charter and 50 year member of the Ladies Guild at St. John-Bingen. Elna was a homemaker and assisted in the operation of the family farm. Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Gerald Fuhrmann of Ft. Wayne, IN; son, Stanley G. (Sally) Fuhrmann of Decatur, IN; son, Larry W. (Rae) Fuhrmann of Decatur, IN; son, Ronald L. (Bess) Fuhrmann of Hoagland, IN; son, Eric L. Fuhrmann of Hoagland, IN; daughter, Vicki D. Fuhrmann of Southport, NC; daughter, Linda S. (Brent) Singer of Spencerville, IN; brother, Gerhardt (Lois) Schaper Jr. of Ft. Wayne, IN; sister, Bonnie Hazen of Churubusco, IN; sister-in-law, Norma Schaper of New Haven, IN; 13 grandchildren: Daniel (Kelli) Fuhrmann; Sara (Greg) Hershberger; Lori (Jeff) Cole; Matt (Amy) Fuhrmann; Anna (Shannon) Selzer; Kathy (Troy) Palacios; Tim Fuhrmann; Brian (Kristin) Fuhrmann; Bruce (Stephanie) Fuhrmann; Julie (Jason) Selking; Nicholas Fuhrmann; Kelly Singer; Rob Singer; and 15 great-grandchildren: Bethany Fuhrmann; Kady Fuhrmann; Austin Fuhrman; Joshua Hershberger; Kayla Hershberger; Hailey Cole; Mackenzie Selzer; Elizabeth Selzer; Benjamin Selzer; Xavior Palacios; Olivia Palacios; Brad Fuhrmann; Sophie Fuhrmann; Grant Selking; Madelyn Selking. Preceding Elna in death were 1 daughter, Judy Kay Fuhrmann on July 21, 1965; and 1 brother, Carl Schaper. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014 in the St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen with Rev. Peter Brock officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery-Bingen. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2014 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Preferred memorials are to Worship For Shut Ins; St. John Lutheran Church-Bingen; or St. Peter Lutheran Church-Ft. Wayne.
