Dortha Schaefer, 92, was the writer of the Spice Rack column for the Paulding Progress
Dortha E. Schaefer, 92 of Payne willingly accepted death when she passed away Jan. 23, 2013
She was born in Payne on November 21, 1920 a daughter of the late John & Vivian (Outland) Bonner.
On Feb 3, 1940 she married Roy Schaefer.
Dortha was a substitute mail carrier for 17 years and a rural newspaper carrier for 16 years. From 1970 to 2012 Dortha entertained us in her Paulding Progress column “The Spice Rack”
Dortha was an active member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society; served as secretary of Paulding County Red Cross & the Payne Chamber of Commerce. After serving on the Bicentennial Committee of 1976 she worked to establish the John Paulding Historical Society. Dortha was also a member of the Visiting Nurses Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ohio State Historical Society, First Families of Paulding County, Friends of the Library, Editor of the Ohio Contester Assoc. for 10 years, Ohio Press for Woman, Dallas Lamb Foundation Auxiliary & Parc Lane School Board when the school was established.
Her hobby since 1957 was entering prize contests, winning many prizes for her family. She made many friends along the way, including Evelyn Ryan, mother of Terry Ryan, the author of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio . Dortha helped start the contest club The Affadaisies, which became part of the movie based on the book
She will be sadly missed by her husband, Roy; daughters, Garnett (Leo) Beagle of Payne, Mary K. (Dean) Hess of Green Valley, AZ, Jeannine Hagan of Austin, TX; sons, John (Mary) & Kim, both of New Haven, IN Jeff of Antwerp & Paul of Mark Center; sister, Helen Cole of Fort Wayne; 8 grandchildren & 16 great grandchildren & 2 great great grandchildren. Also preceding her in death is her sister, Elaine Litzenberg.
Viewing is at Dooley Funeral Home, Payne on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 2-7 pm, with the rosary recited at 7 pm. Viewing is also Monday, 9:30 – 10 am at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Payne on Monday, Jan 28, 10:30 am.
She will be laid to rest at St John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are to Paulding VNA or Heartland Hospice.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com
