Wilma Jean Guler

Wilma “Shelli” Jean Oneschak Guler was born October 31, 1947, to Walter and Viola (Stoops) Oneschak in Beaver Falls, PA, and passed away peacefully on February 2, 2022.

Shelli grew up with her parents and two brothers on the east coast until 1967 when she moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend Seattle Pacific College. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Education in 1970, and later obtained her Master’s Degree in 1997 from City University.

Shelli began her career as an elementary school teacher for Kelso School District in 1971. During the spring of 1973, she met the love of her life, Jerry Guler, while playing softball for an inner-church singles social group. They married just a few months later on November 17, 1973, and were blessed with two children, Matthew in 1976 and Betsy in 1979. When her children were young, Shelli did some substitute teaching, and resumed full-time teaching in 1987 at CVG in Longview, teaching Kindergarten through 3rd grade until her retirement in 2010. Shelli found true joy in teaching and watching her students grow.

Jerry and Shelli were members of Calvary Community Church where they served in many capacities during her life. They also made many incredible friends and lived a life full of adventures: skiing, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, and more. Their adventures continued over the years, as they shared their love of the great outdoors with their children from a young age through adulthood.

Shelli’s adventures changed over the years, going from mother to grandmother, and eventually great-grandmother. She found joy in the lives and activities of each one, rarely missing a game or performance. Shelli had a talent for sewing and quilting, and she was able to share her love of sewing with her grandkids and great-grandkids as they spent time together learning her craft, a time Shelli truly treasured. She also blessed many friends and family with beautiful homemade gifts over the years.

In 2015, Shelli would embark on an adventure no one expected, as the recipient of a heart transplant. This altered how she lived her life, but one thing would never change – her intense love for her family and friends. Shelli was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and teacher and will be missed by all. We all rejoice, however, as she enters into her everlasting adventure, happy, healthy, and whole, dancing with her Savior in heaven.

Shelli was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Viola Oneschak, and brother Jeff Oneschak.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Guler; children Matthew (Molly) Guler and Betsy Guler; grandchildren Hannah (Emilio) Foden, Hank (Bella) Guler, Hayden Guler, and Hattie Guler; great-grandchildren Charlotte and Caroline, and twins on the way; her brother, John Oneschak, and his children, John Paul and Lara Grace. She is also survived by her siblings, nieces, and nephews by marriage, and countless cherished friends.

A memorial service for Shelli will be held at Calvary Community Church in Longview on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 3:00. The service will also be streamed live for those who are not able to attend.

Shelli dedicated much of her life to raising her Down Syndrome daughter and providing her with as many of her own adventures as possible. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Shelli’s name to Special Olympics of Washington https://specialolympicswashington.org/donate/ways-to-give/, providing opportunities and adventures for special needs loved ones and their families.