Ella M. Deshler, 83, of Ottumwa died at 8:15 p.m. March 21, 2026 at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa.
She was born May 14, 1942 in Ottumwa to William and Valda Kosar Merrill. She married Stanley Deshler on December 29, 1959.
Ella was a resident of Ottumwa all her life and had worked at Eisenhower School and had her own in home daycare.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ottumwa.
She enjoyed doing crafts, playing bingo and going to casinos. Ella and her husband wintered in New Smyrna Beach, FL for many years. She was very involved with her kids’ activities when they were younger and put a lot of energy teaching and spending time with her grandchildren.
Surviving is her husband, Stan of Ottumwa; a daughter, Donna (Stacy) Sumner of Ottumwa, Jim (Missy) Deshler of Iowa City and Roger (Michelle) Deshler of Agency; 6 grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Sanders, Jacoby (Kelcey) Campbell, Colton Sumner, Austin Deshler, Dylan Deshler and Autumn Deshler; 6 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Kayla Sumner; and a brother, Harold Merrill.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 27th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Elgin officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Heartland Humane Society.
