Dorothy May Thews

1928 - 2015

Dorothy May Henning Thews
Nov. 22, 1928 – Feb. 23, 2015
CULVER - Dorothy May Henning Thews, 86, of Culver, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Miller's Merry Manor in Culver surrounded by her five children.
Dorothy was born Nov. 22, 1928, in Culver to Harry and Rubie Lasch Henning. She graduated from Culver High School in 1946 and from Christian College, Columbia, Mo., in 1948. On Sept. 20, 1947, she married Roger L. Thews who preceded her in death on May 24, 1977.
She worked as a secretary at Culver Military Academy in the Admissions Office. She was an executive secretary for the Wickes Corporation in Argos. She served as the Park Superintendent for the Culver Town Park. She retired from Culver Girls Academy as a Residence Director for Argonne Tower and then Benson Hall.
She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Order of the Eastern Star, and Maxinkuckee Junior Women's Club.
Dorothy was an avid reader and had a great appreciation for sports and music. She participated in sports in college and was a loyal fan to the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls.
She loved her family above all else and delighted in watching her children and grandchildren perform in sports and musical events. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed performing solos and in ensembles. She also sang in the church choir and for special occasions.
From a young age, she traveled with her family by train and car throughout the United States.
Survivors include her five children – Judith (Eric) Tipton of Ft. Wayne, Susan (Dennis) Eller of Rochester, Virginia (Ronald) Cole of Culver, Barbara (Larry) Rans of Culver, and Roger (Susan) Thews Jr. of Culver; 11 grandchildren - Stacy Tipton of Fort Wayne, Brett Tipton of Indianapolis, Sarah (Adam) Zink of Rochester, Andrew Eller of Westerville, Ohio, Maija Cole of Culver, Alexander Cole of Culver, Julie Rans (James) Vicsik of Elkhart, Benjamin (Erin) Rans of Elkhart, Michael (Tiffany) Dees of St. Louis, Mo., Emily (Anthony) Thews-Baldridge of Hudson, Ohio, and Roger Thews III of Oklahoma City, Okla.; six great-grandchildren - Brayden Zink, Camden Zink, Ava Robertson, Lanie Cooper-Rans, Reginald Rans, and Ryder Rans; and six nieces and nephews - Thomas Curtis, David Curtis, Lindon Curtis, Colleen Curtis (Petar) Grozdanovski, James Thews, and Jan (Don) Miller.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger L. Thews Sr.; her parents Henry and Rubie Henning; daughter Jacqueline Ann Thews; sister Mildred Henning Curtis; and nephew Stanley Curtis.
A time of visitation with Dorothy's family will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Grace United Church of Christ in Culver from 4:30 until 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Culver Grace United Church of Christ or the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org or a charitable organization of donor's choice.
Condolences may be sent via the obituary page at www.odomfuneralhome.com.
The Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is assisting the family with arrangements.