Elma Jean (Ludwig) Hanshaw 87, of New Waterford, went to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 7:25 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Covington Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in East Palestine.

She was born at home in East Liverpool on July 14, 1938, the daughter of the late Dewey John and Flossie (Kay) Ludwig.

Elma Jean attended school in Elkton, Ohio and carried a love of learning throughout her life. She was a devoted member of Abundant Life Fellowship, where she found great joy in serving her church family. In her later years she followed the ministry of Jimmy Swaggart. Elma Jean found great comfort and inspiration through his music and ministry.

Elma Jean's greatest passion in life was her family. She delighted in creating special homemade treats for her loved ones and having her family gathered together in one place. Elma Jean had a very creative side to her. She loved spending her days gardening, sewing, painting, cooking, baking and canning. She was passionate about teaching her grandchildren how to do many of these things and took great joy in watching them learn new skills.

Elma Jean also loved going on long car rides. She and her husband would travel all over taking day trips to places they had never been. Along the way she would collect rocks and plant cuttings to bring home and show her family, happily telling them the story of their day. Elma Jean's life was a beautiful reflection of her faith, creativity, and devotion to her family.

She is survived by her children; Joseph Timothy Barth of Erie, PA, Theresa (Dale) Zeitler of Columbiana, OH, Tammy (Dale) Bradow of O'Brien, FL, Trixann (John) Black of New Waterford, OH, and a stepdaughter, Paula (Tony) Podbielskiof East Palestine, OH, her grandchildren; Emily Kerrigan, Christie Brooks, Charlie Barth, Joseph Barth, Jeannie (Millis) Johnson, Jordan (Richard) Matt-Zeitler, Keith (Morgan) Zeitler, Jessie (Kristen) Bradow, Holly Burnett, Kelly (Brian) Bellflower, Amy (Haden) Hale, Julia (Ian Nenadic) Schmidt, and Wesley (Britney) Black, her great grandchildren; Alivia (Hunter) Billings, Millis Johnson, Emma Johnson, Zakkary Zeitler, Ethan Zeitler, Hazel Zeitler, Penny Zeitler, Faith Bradow, Genesis, Elijah, Adaline, Canaan Burnett, Josh Burnett, Joanna Hale, Chandler, Luke, Elizabeth, Chloe Schmidt, Bentley Black, and Sage Black, her great-great grandchildren; Charlotte & Eliana Billings, her siblings; Carolyn (Ted) Delgado of Ravenna, OH, Dewey John Jr. (Janet) Ludwig of Newton Falls, OH, Mary Jo Mercer of East Palestine, OH, Betty (Steve) Evanchec of Linesville, PA, and Linda Jane Fletcher of East Palestine, OH, her sisters -in-law; Ruby Ludwig of Brecksville, OH and Debra Ludwig of Columbiana, OH.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Hanshaw whom she married in 1977, a stepson James Hanshaw Jr. and siblings; James Ludwig, Carl Ludwig, Frank Ludwig, Ruthann Stone, Nancy Barth, and George Ludwig.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Abundant Life Fellowship, 46469 State Route 46 New Waterford, Ohio, with calling hours beginning at 10 AM and a Celebration of Life Service at 11 AM, officiated by Pastor Jeff Schoch of the church.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem.