Artist and teacher Susan Joanne Medler died Saturday, August 11, 2012 at her home in Denton. She was born on January 8, 1937 in Ridgeville, Indiana to Robert and Ferol Oren. Ms. Medler was awarded an undergraduate degree in English from Purdue University. She married Byron Medler in 1960 and they moved to Denton in 1969. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the University of North Texas. Susan and Byron divorced in 1982.
She taught art at a Tarrant County Junior College and for the Plano public schools for five years. She then moved to Rochester, New York, where she taught at the Rochester School of the Arts for 15 years. She loved teaching at the school and made lasting friendships in the community. She retired from the school and returned to Denton in 2001. For the past two years, Ms. Medler has taught art creativity classes at the UNT Emeritus College.
A talented artist in her own right, she focused primarily on printmaking. Her work has been exhibited at many art shows and galleries. She also loved animals, cooking, baking bread, gardening and completed training as a Master Gardener and Master Naturalist.
Ms. Medler is survived by her daughter, Stacey, who lives the family home in Denton that was designed by her mother; and two sons, Brad Medler of Santa Clarita, California and Scott Medler and his wife, Kathryn, of Buffalo, New York. Her five grandchildren are Taylor and Chase Medler of Collinsville, TX and Peyton, Ethan and Grant Medler of Buffalo. Other survivors include her brother, Bob Oren of Indianapolis, Indiana and a cousin, Nancy Kell of Idaho.
Memorial service will be Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. There will be a time of visitation the evening prior from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation.
On line condolences may be left at www.mulkeymasondenton.com