Susan Beth Klingler

Susan Beth Klingler, 60, died just before sunset on Thursday, October 9, at her home in North Manchester. She was born on September 27, 1954, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Charles and Susie Klingler, who survive her, and grew up in North Manchester from age five. A graduate of Manchester High School, she earned degrees in English at Manchester College and Indiana University and became a teacher of English, first teaching briefly in Columbia City and then for31 years in North Manchester. On August 6, 1983, she married David Hippensteel, who also survives her, as do their children, Nicholas, of New York, and Maya, of South Bend. Other survivors are a sister, Rebecca, of Los Angeles; and brothers David, of North Manchester; Robert (Jill) of Cincinnati; Thomas (Nathalie Dajko) of New Orleans; John, of Saudi Arabia; and Mark (Jennifer Dush) of Columbus, Ohio. In addition, she was a beloved aunt of 22 nieces and nephews.Susan was an active member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren. She sang in the Taize Choir, and spoke thoughtfully and with grace and conviction in various capacities, including that of worship leader. Her talents were also employed in the larger community, as when she narrated for the Manchester Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the Symphony Board.She was fully engaged in her profession of teaching. As early as 1985, she was recognized by District Six of the Business and Professional Women's Club as Young Career Woman of the Year. A member of the National Education Association, the Indiana State Teachers' Association, the Manchester Teachers' Association, the National Council of Teachers of English,and the Indiana Council of Teachers of English, she worked untiringly to improve the condition and quality of teaching and learning. Throughout her tenure, she taught Honors and Advanced Placement courses. She published a creative writing magazine, The Icarian Plunge, for more than a decade and long served as a senior class sponsor.From her youth, Susan sought out new experiences. She spent her junior year of college at the Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. In after-years she continued to study and to travel. In the summer of 2009 she received a grant to take part in a Shakespeare workshop in Northampton, Massachusetts. In the summer of 2004 she led a group of students and their adult chaperones on a literary tour of Great Britain. Her husband was at her side for this and for other tours nearer home. The two of them traveled in Europe on more than one occasion, the most recent being a long walk with friends on the Way of St. James of Compostela in the summer of 2013a�"a life-changing experience. Upon her return, she discovered that she was in stage four of pancreatic cancer. She continued to teach, and in every way to live intensely, an inspiration to all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, at the Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 North Beckley Street, with visitation after the service. Contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, PO Box 7, North Manchester, IN 46962 in memory of Susan Klingler and will be directed to one or more educational causes important to her. Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN To send a private condolence to the Klingler family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.