Dorothy Mathis

Dorothy Louise Mathis, 85, of Kankakee, passed away Saturday (Oct. 24, 2009) at Provena Our Lady of Victory in Bourbonnais, following an extended illness. She was born June 14, 1924, the daughter of Jesse and Rachel Cremer Trickel. Dorothy was married to LaVerne R. Mathis on Nov. 8, 1941, in Kankakee. He passed away on April 17, 1996. At that time they lived in Acworth, Ga. They had two sons and two daughters, including one son, Donald, who passed away in 2007, in Texas. Surviving are daughters, Dianna Horan of Henderson, Nev., Deborah Coulman of Hackettstown, N.J.; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Debbie Mathis of Temple, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Jeanne Mathis of Whispering Oaks, Texas; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and several loving nieces and nephews. She lived with Patrick and Judy Holohan for the last 8 1/2 years of her life. Dorothy retired from the Kankakee State Hospital, as a supervisor and psychiatric nurse. During World War II she worked for the government as a specialized welder at the Kankakee Florence Stove factory, making aluminum cowlings for the P-47 fighter planes. This work employed women because of the special ability to perform this type of delicate welding. She was trained for this job in New York. In the spirit of "Rosie the Riveter" of World War II fame, we called her "Dorothy the Welder." Her favorite pastimes were her amazing gardening and her exceptional art work. She was a member of the Bonfield Garden Club and Volunteer Gallery Committee at the Gretchen Charlton Art Gallery. Cremation rites will be accorded by the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home. Visitation and memorial service will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 936 S. Third Ave., in Kankakee. Pastor Jim Williams will officiate. A dinner will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, which was a wonderful blessing to Dorothy during her illness; or to Trinity United Methodist Church. Deceased are her parents, husband, son, infant son and her only sister.

Dorothy Mathis

June 14, 1924 - October 24, 2009