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Dorothy Carpenter Obituary
Dorothy Rose (Hallenbeck) Carpenter died April 16, 2014 in Port Charlotte, FL. She was a life-long resident of Vermontville, MI. Beloved mother of Roz Carpenter, Mary Rose (David) Belz, and James (Charlotte) Carpenter. Adored grandmother of David (Gladys) Lingholm, Rebekah Lingholm, Adam Belz, Logan Belz, Katherine Rose Carpenter, Scot Carpenter, Dawn Tucker, and Reid (Heidi) Tucker. Ema the Great to 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Elbert Carpenter.
Mom was born June 18, 1926 to Byron Ellis and Ruth Lucille (Powers) Hallenbeck. She graduated from Vermontville High School at the age of 16 and graduated from Albion College in 1946. Her first teaching job was in Waldron, MI where she met the man who became her greatest love. They were married in Vermontville on July 22, 1950 and enjoyed nearly 59 years before he died in 2009. The Carpenters enjoyed travel with their 5th wheel trailer until they purchased a winter residence in Port Charlotte, FL.
Dorothy was very active in the Vermontville United Methodist Church, the Vermontville Women's Club, the Vermontville Historical Society, and other organizations. She taught in several districts, directed plays and musicals and sponsored a variety of school events.
One of Mom's greatest achievements was a project begun shortly after her retirement when she and teaching colleague, Junia Jarvie, began the Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation is based upon a base fund, using only interest to provide scholarships for students from Maple Valley. As a result, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 715, Nashville, MI 49073.
A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held with a visitation on June 17, 2014 at Vermontville United Methodist Church from 4-7 pm with a prayer service to follow from 7 - 7:30 and a memorial service on June 18, 2014 at 11:00 am with lunch to follow until 2:00 pm at the family farm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Carpenter
Debbie Hickey Kemp
April 14, 2021
Mrs Carpenter ;you were one of a kind! You truly loved the kids you taught and loved you! You had a great influence on so many! You are greatly missed. Maple Valley will/has not been the same. Thank you for your service!!!
Linda Szaflarski
April 14, 2019
I am thankful to have had Dorthy Carpenter as my teacher. She possessed the ability to be strict and still a warm personality that made you respect and love her. Deepest sympathies to her family.
Linda Slade Szaflarski
Jackie Janousek
April 23, 2014
I so loved her Journalism classes, Drama, and myth and legends was my favorite. Without thinking twice about it I like some of my friends would stay late and work on the school paper because we worked with her. Teaching at Maple Valley will never be the same without Dorothy's passion and commitment. Her family knows she was loved by so many students.
Debbie Harman Myers
April 23, 2014
Mrs. Carpenter was a great teacher to me. She instilled a love literature and I so enjoyed having her teach me. I will always remember her with much fondness.
Sena Stark
April 21, 2014
April 21, 2014
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
~ Sena Stark, Vermontville, Michigan
Monique Colizzi
April 21, 2014
I just adored Dorothy. She was one of the first individuals I met during my first year of teaching at Maple Valley High School. She was a strong community supporter, full of wisdom and joy! I will truly miss chatting with her. Thank you for all you did for the youth of this district my friend!
Corey Parrish
April 21, 2014
Aunt I will miss you very much, I'm happy your home with God.
Rosalie Bacun
April 21, 2014
Mrs. Carpenter was a wonderful person and a great teacher... who saw the positive possibilities in her students and encouraged them to do their best.
Cheryl and Richard Dorman
April 21, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Dotty was a wonderful woman. Our whole family will miss her and visits to the farm. Maple syrup festival will not be the same!
Linda Szaflarski
April 21, 2014
Love of Literature was very much influenced by her love of teaching it. This love was passed on to my daughter who majored in English Lit and so her legacy continues....
Linda Slade Szaflarski
Bonnie West-Engel
April 20, 2014
To one of the greatest English Lit. teachers I ever had... including my college. She made stories come alive. Thanks so much!!
April 20, 2014
I was probably the only high school student at Maple Valley who DIDN'T have Mrs.Carpenter as a Teacher. Dorothy and Elbert were friends of my parents and visited our home often as I was growing up. We got to know each other well. I always wondered if that is why I never showed up on her class lists. All my classmates spoke well of her. She was the only teacher I can remember from those days who everyone seemed to really care about and like. The last time I saw her was at my Mom's funeral in May 2013. She was still sharp as a tack and a wonderful conversationalist. She left a deep impression on many lives at Maple Valley will be missed a great deal by us all. We were all better off for knowing her.
Mike Kilpatrick '65
Judy Loy
April 20, 2014
Mrs carpenter was a great teacher and friend ,who remembered many of her students. May the good Lord wrap his arms around you and bring you comfort in the following days.
Merlene B;acl
April 20, 2014
You were my favorite teacher. I had you for 4 classes and learned so much. You knew how to draw the best out of me. Will miss you. Merlene
Karen Spraker
April 20, 2014
You touched my life as no other teacher did. The legacy you left is an inspiration to all those you taught.
April 20, 2014
You were my favorte teachers you had a caring heart u helped me when i thought there wasnt any hope u will be truly missed
Ann Hasley
April 20, 2014
Our family has been blessed by our opportunity to know Dot!we are so grateful for the wonderful items this he created for our home, the hospitality she extended to me at Hollenbeck farm during my college years, and the beautiful letter of recommendation she wrote for Andrew upon his entrance into Albion. Our hearts and prayers are with the family.
Debbie Hickey Kemp
April 20, 2014
My deepest sympathy to each of you! She was a fantastic lady, teacher, wife and of course, Mom!! My prayers are with you. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her! May God Bless y'all!!
Judy Oswald
April 20, 2014
Sorry to hear the news.
She will forever be watching over all of you. Prayers for all of her family.She was like family to me.Always enjoyed visits with her when I saw her.She will be greatly missed by one and all.
Teri Belcher
April 20, 2014
Mrs. Carpenter touched so many lives and she never understood the power of her influence. She was a friend, teacher, mentor, and supporter of so many. Her presence was the very essence of our small community. I loved hearing her stories about my dad, and in her way, she kept him alive for me. I am sad, as are all, to have lost her hugs and her smile. God's heaven has gained a very wonderful angel and I'm sure Elbert was there to welcome her home to his side. May our memories of this wonderful lady, ease the pain in our hearts.
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