Dorothy Lucille (Klontz) Chacey, 91, of Allegan, Michigan, died Wednesday, Jan, 9, 2019 at Briarwood Assisted Living in Allegan.
Dorothy was born March 15, 1927 near Ollie, Iowa to John W. and Verna T. Klontz. Dorothy married Clair Chacey on Aug. 30, 1947 in Fairfield Iowa. Dorothy and Clair lived, worked and raised their family in the Packwood, Iowa community until 2000 when they moved to Allegan, Michigan.
Dorothy attended Ollie, Iowa schools, graduating from Ollie High School in 1944. After graduation Dorothy joined the Cadet Nurse Corps, completing her training as a Registered nurse from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Ottumwa, Iowa in 1948.
Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dedicated nurse. She began her career as a nurse in labor and delivery at Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield Iowa. Seeking a change and a challenge she began working in the Emergency Department at Jefferson County Hospital and retired from there in 1982.
Dorothy (Mom) believed every moment of every day was precious and wanted all of us to enjoy life to it’s fullest, love our families to the utmost and love the Lord with our entire being. We will continue throughout our lives to learn from her lessons.
While living in Iowa, Dorothy was a member of the Ollie Baptist Church and later became a member of the First Congregational Church in Allegan.
After retirement, Dorothy and Clair focused on their painting, woodworking and travel. Clair did the building and Dorothy completed their projects with her skills as a painter. Dorothy had enjoyed and excelled at drawing and painting from her teen years into retirement. Dorothy and Clair traveled to many craft shows in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas.
Dorothy and Clair also traveled extensively after retirement, seeing all the United States except Alaska. Their travels involved many trips to Michigan, Wisconsin, Montana and New Mexico to visit their children and grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband Clair in 2017, her parents John and Verna Klontz, four brothers; Hubert, Delbert, Maynard and Harold Klontz and three sisters; Darlene Klontz, Helen (Klontz) Montgomery and Marjorie (Klontz) Hill. She was also proceeded in death by her parents-in-laws George and Opal Chacey and by her beloved son-in-law Stephen Vaughn, great-granddaughter Morgan Ford and great-grandson Joshua Ford.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Mary Jeanine (Dennis) Johnson of Allegan, Ronald Keith (Leigh-Ann) Chacey of Racine, Wisc. Theresa Ann Vaughn, of Paw Paw, and Gary Clair (Anna) Chacey of Rio Rancho, N.M. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by her sister Mary Davis of Stuart, Fla. and several nieces and a nephew.
A private family Funeral Services was held Monday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. at Gorden Funeral Residence in Allegan. Pastor Daniel Ward from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Allegan conducted the service. Interment followed at Hudson Corners Cemetery, Allegan.
Dorothy had requested no flowers. If your heart leads you to do so, please donate to Holland Hospice or a charity of your choice.
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