Dorothy L. Birkhead

1914 - 2013

VIOLA - Dorothy L. Birkhead joined her eternal family Saturday, June 15, 2013. Funeral arrangements are on Saturday, June 22, 2013, with visitation at 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Interment will follow in Viola Cemetery. The service will be conducted by Pastor Cindy Rettig of the Viola United Methodist Church. Rose Tary will provide the music for the service. Serving as pallbearers are Jeromy Swanson, Jonathon Swanson, Brian Hall, Matthew Celske, Kyle Birkhead and Eric Mettler. Memorials may be left for Viola Methodist Church or Viola Food Pantry.
She was born March 23, 1914, in Hamilton County near Mt. Vernon. Her parents were William and Ida Mae Olomon Birkhead. The family moved to Mercer County in 1922 and resided here the rest of their lives. Dorothy was 99 years old March 23 and was a resident of the Mercer County Nursing Home (Genesis Senior Living) since Aug. 25, 2011.
Dorothy attended the Birkhead rural school her 1st and 2nd grades in Jefferson County. She attended various elementary schools in Mercer County after moving here. She graduated from Viola High School in 1932 and had perfect attendance, even though she walked two miles from their farm. Dorothy always respected her teachers and participated in school plays and in speech programs. There were no girls sports nor buses in those days. As a youth, she was a Girl Scout and member of Viola 4-H. As an adult, she was active with the Mercer County Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed volunteering at the Mercer County Senior Center and Mercer County Hospital Gift Shop.
Her work career was mainly as a clerk-typist at John Deere. She worked at the Deere Parts Depot in downtown Moline. While there, she developed the IBM punch card system for parts shipping and inventory. She retired after 30 years with Deere and was the caregiver for her parents until they died in 1979.
She is survived by her brother, Roger (Rachel) Birkhead, Viola; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Ed) and Jean (Russell); nephew, Brad Birkhead, Collinsville; nieces, Chris (Jon) Swanson, Viola, Cindi (Lee) Celske, Aledo, and Lisa Mettler, Monmouth. There are 12 great-nephews and great-nieces and one great-great-nephew and one great-great-niece.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lester, Edwin and Russell; and a sister, Gladys.
Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.