Dorthey M. (Deardorff) VanDusen

Dorthey M. (Deardorff) VanDusen, 93, of South Bend, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, July 30th, with her loving family by her side.

Dorthey was born in South Bend on September 24, 1931, to Earnest and Hazel (Higbee) Deardorff. A lifelong area resident who married the love of her life, Charles VanDusen on July 19, 1969. He preceded her in death on April 14, 2012. She enjoyed reading, watching Nascar races, cooking and baking, yet her greatest joy came from being with her family.

Dorthey is survived by her loving children, Carolyn S. Carpenter of South Bend, and William B. (Colette) VanDusen of Nebraska. She was the proud grandmother of five, Kenny (Melinda), Kevin, Kelly, Jenny and Dori and the proud great grandmother of eight, Baylee (Sadie), Blake, Brayden, Ashleigh, Ava, Andrew, and Brayden. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Gary VanDusen, her siblings, Madelyn M. Larkin, Geraldine R. Toner, Lloyd, Carl and Edward Deardorff, along with her son-in-law, Bruce Carpenter.

Friends may visit with Dorthey’s family on Monday, August 4th, from 11:00 a.m. until service time in the Hanley and Sons Funeral Home, 23421 S.R. 23, South Bend, IN 46614 where a funeral service honoring her life will be held at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Clint Walker officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery of South Bend following service.  Memorial contributions may be made in Dorthey’s name to Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

The HANLEY and Sons Funeral Home “Southwest Chapel” and Cremation Service is handling arrangements and extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the VanDusen family and friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorthey M. (Deardorff) VanDusen, please visit our floral store.