Truth H. Schiffhauer, known and loved for her quick wit, cheerful optimism, and fierce love of the written word, died on May 6, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born to Maribel (Winkler) and Bryan Haase on May 17, 1931 in Morgantown, Indiana. At age ten she moved to Henry County, Indiana, where she graduated from Knightstown High School in 1949. On August 26, 1950, she married Francis A. Schiffhauer. During their marriage they lived in Buffalo, NY, Wilmington, DE, Baton Rouge, LA, and in Elkton and Baltimore, MD. In the 1960’s, Truth returned to college and earned a B.A. in English (magna cum laude,) and a Master’s degree in Library Science, both from the University of New York at Buffalo.

In 1984, her children raised, Truth embarked on a professional career. The Delaware Humanities Forum chose her to coordinate a book discussion project for public libraries, which was later extended by the National Endowment for the Humanities throughout Delaware and the eastern shore regions of Maryland and Virginia. In 1997, Truth retired as program director and consultant to the NEH in order to spend more time in volunteer work and traveling with her husband. Truth worked at the Cecil County, Maryland public library as librarian for adult programming from 1999 until 2002. Truth was also an active community member, volunteering for many years as a Girl Scout leader, in the League of Women Voters, at St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church, and with homeless shelters.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Michael (Rebecca), Matthew (Robin), Marian (Don) Erler, Daniel (Laura), Thomas (Chrissy), Peter (Renee), Francis, Margaret (Timothy) Giardina; brothers Thomas (Judy), Jeffrey Haase; sisters Janice Kendall (Jack, deceased), Dee Ellen Jarboe; 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six step-grandchildren, ten step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael Haase.

Services will be held on May 15, 2016, 3:00 p.m., at the Hoosier Village Retirement Center Chapel, with calling beginning at 1:30. Memorial donations may be made to Wheeler Mission Ministries at 205 East New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or at wheelermission.org.