200 N. Central Ave.
PO Box 175
Casey, IL 62420
Phone: (217) 932-2131
Fax: (217) 932-5194
Dorothy M. Kuhns
In Memory of
Dorothy M.
Kuhns
1917 - 2017
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Markwell Funeral Home
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Obituary for Dorothy M. Kuhns

Dorothy M. Kuhns of Chesterton, Indiana passed away peacefully on January 11, 2017 in the comfort of her home and embraced by the loving care of her family. She was 99 years old.

She was born July 20, 1917 at Toledo, Illinois, the daughter of Herman Brown Ross and Mabel Minnie Ross. Dorothy was born into a hard-working farm family that moved frequently throughout the Midwest in search of better opportunity. Difficult times forced her to abort her formal education after her freshman year of high school in order to help support the family. She ventured out on her own at age 16 and supported herself during the Depression and World War II years with a variety of jobs, including as a housemaid and waitress in Casey, Illinois, where she lived and worked during the war years. Dorothy met the love of her life, William S. Kuhns, in 1938 and they were married on March 4, 1946, shortly after William’s return from the European Theater of WW II. They relocated from the farmlands of southern Illinois to the industrial city of Gary, Indiana and raised their family in their new home, relocating to Chesterton in 1955. They were inseparable for the last 71 years.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening, sewing and baking pies and especially enjoyed her travels with William. They were fortunate that they were able to visit all 50 states in retirement and they dearly loved venturing down every interesting-looking road they encountered. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Most of all, Dorothy enjoyed basking in the glow of her family, especially her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and recently a great-great granddaughter.

Dorothy leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her beloved husband, William, and three sons and their wives: Jerry and Betty Ward of Chesterton, IN; Phillip and Debra Kuhns of Wheatfield, IN and Donald and Marion Kuhns of Manhattan Beach, CA.

Other survivors include grandchildren Angela Bernotus; Deborah (David) Marshall; Jacqueline Kuhns; Kimberly Kuhns; Michael Kuhns; Rhonda Miller; Rob (Dawn) Drlich; Stan (Linda) Kuhns, and Toby Kuhns. Great grandchildren include: Alicia Marshall; Alyana Drlich; Chelse Kuhns; Collin Miller; Dean (Jessica) Jackson; Jake (Ashley) Kuhns; Jessica (Travis) Yoder; Joshua Drlich; Kayla Miller; Landon Bernotus and Payton Bernotus. In addition, Dorothy had a great-great granddaughter, Sara Yoder.

Dorothy is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Jackie Ross; and sisters Kathleen Durnell, Marjorie Lucky and Norma Bacon. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Floyd Ross and sister Ruth Stewart, and a great grandson, Daniel.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304. Visitation will also take place on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Avenue, Casey, IL 62420, followed by funeral services at 12:00 pm with Pastor G. Thomas Jones officiating. Burial will take place at Casey Cumberland Cemetery, Casey, IL.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.ee-fh.com or www.markwellfuneralhome.com.

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