Susan A. Fechtman

Susan A. Fechtman, 80, of Carmel, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022.  Susan was born on May 11, 1941, in Richmond, IN.

Susan was a graduate of Ball State University.  Following graduation, Susan was a teacher at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis and Snyder High School in Fort Wayne.  After moving to California in 1976, Susan taught at Cerro Villa Middle School in Villa Park, CA before taking a position as a professor at Orange County Business College in Anaheim, CA, where she would go on to become Dean and, ultimately, Director.  After retirement from Orange County Business College, she joined her husband’s business, serving as operations manager.

Susan was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church (Orange, CA), Cornerstone Lutheran Church (Carmel, IN) and Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Susan was a wonderful mother, daughter, wife, and “Mimi” to her grandchildren and her beloved granddog, “Boo.”  She loved family dinners, spending time in the mountains, playing cards, and enjoying the beautiful California weather.  She loved gag gifts.  She loved candy.  She was a horrible photographer.

Susan died exactly as she lived: bravely, full of strength, and surrounded by family.  She was a teacher to the end; setting an example of how to leave this world with dignity and courage, a better place for her having been in it.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Carroll H. and Margaret E. “Betty” Copeland, her sister, Carmen Copeland Burns, and her brother Dennis Copeland.  Susan is survived by her husband, John “Fred” Fechtman; sons, Mark A. Fechtman, Matthew Fechtman (wife, Jill Brooks), Seth F. Fechtman; grandchildren, Tyler Vidal, Christopher Fechtman, Ashley Morrison, Samuel Fechtman, Raegan Fechtman, Payton Fechtman; and sister, Lonita Garrage.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Orange, 185 South Center Street, Orange, CA, 92866 .  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association or Cornerstone Lutheran Church.