Obituary

Crystal R. (Hammond) Stauffer, 28, died on June 3, 2014, in Newton.

Crystal was born on Oct. 5, 1985, in Topeka to Jerry and Lillian (Eastwood) Hammond. She was a 2009 graduate of Emporia State University and recently received her masters degree in education from Baker College.  Crystal was married to Andrew Stauffer in July of 2013 in Topeka. He survives in the home.  Crystal was a physical education teacher at Santa Fe Middle School for the fifth and sixth grade. She had completed her fourth year of service at Santa Fe Middle School.  Crystal had a big smile and loved to tease in a fun way. She was a very loyal, caring person and would go out of her way to help friends and others. She loved children, her students, especially her nephews and nieces, and longed to have children of her own. Andrew and Crystal attended the Newton Christian Church, and their faith was very important to both of them.

She is survived by her husband: Andrew Stauffer; parents: Jerry and Lillian Hammond; sister: Sarah Claspill and husband, Eric; brother: Charles Hammond; nephews: Chase and Ryan Claspill; and a host of aunts, uncles and nieces.

Funeral services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 9, at Salem United Methodist Church of Newton. A private family burial will be held in Topeka following the service in Newton. A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, at the Topeka Baptist Church in Topeka. A visitation time is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.  In lieu of flowers, the family has established the following memorial funds: Scholarship Fund for Church Camp, in care of the Newton Christian Church or the Topeka Baptist Church.