Dorothy Thorne Manz

Dorothy Thorne Manz, age 86, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. Memorial services will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 5th at Gladfelter Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dorothy's body will be donated to medical science. Dorothy was born February 13, 1924 at Wa Keeney, Kansas, a daughter of Walter Thorne and Iona Pearl (Switzer) Baker. She married Carl H. Manz April 13, 1946. He preceded her in death March 16, 1987. She is survived by a son, Ernie (Sarah) Manz of Marseilles; a daughter, Louise Manz (Tony Melgoza) of Ottawa; brothers, Lynn (Marge) Baker of Texas and Bob Baker of Kansas; sisters, Loralee Baker of Kansas and Kate Buser of Wichita, Kansas. She also leaves grandchildren, Charles H. (Amy) Manz II of Marseilles, Richard (Connie) and Danny Falcon of Mendota Silver and Joanna Young of Ottawa and; great-grandchildren, Kayla, Buddy and Madison Falcon and one more due in December. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy, two sons, Walter and Charles and five siblings. Dorothy had been employed at Owens Glass in Streator, Burns Security for G.E. Plastics and also sold Avon products for 19 years. She was a seamstress for the Miss Ottawa pageants. In her earlier years, Dorothy enjoyed roller skating and in later years, music was a big part of her life. Dorothy volunteered at the Community Hospital of Ottawa. She dearly loved time spent with her family and grandchildren as well as her honorary and adopted families. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.