John Lyman Shetterly ’72

John, a principled and focused classmate who found his life’s calling early and pursued it fully with devotion, died July 16, 2022, in Wilmington, N.C.

John was born Feb. 24, 1950, to Robert L. and Eleanor L. Shetterly. He graduated from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Va., and entered Princeton with the Class of 1972.

John withdrew to work for homeless street ministries in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. Following graduation in 1973, he began a 35-year commitment with two nonprofit organizations, Seed Ministries and New Hope Ministries, providing food, shelter, and dignity to the homeless population.

John loved adventure and the outdoors; whitewater paddling, raft guiding, and kayaking in West Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa; mother Dorothy; daughters Joy and her husband Eric Allen, Naomi and her husband Aaron Polar, Judith and her husband Jason MacIntosh, and Joli and her husband Jeremy McGovern; sons Nathanael de Poix, Justin and his wife Lindsay, and Jordan; sisters Jane and her husband Richard Lawrence, Margaret and her husband Clyde Hisey, and Tracy and her husband Terry Johnson; brother Scott Lesmes and his wife Missy; in-laws Russell and his wife Maureen Hood, and OC and his wife Carol Hood; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The class sends condolences to his family.