Dorothy Gilmore

Dorothy E. Gilmore, 72, of Hopewell, IL passed away suddenly at 2:05pm Wednesday July 20, 2011 at her residence with her husband Jake by her side. She was born on August 17, 1938 in Cuba, Illinois the daughter of Claude R. and Jennie F. Bartlett Henderliter. She married Jake E. Gilmore on April 22, 1992 in Lacon. Surviving are her husband of Hopewell, six children Cathy (Jim) Peters Haedicke of East Peoria, IL and their children Elaine and Gary; Laura Mantle McMahan of Canton; Pat (Jeff) Donaldson Nelson of Peoria, and their daughter Randi of Princeville; Barry (Leah) Gilmore of Peoria, Kelly Gilmore of Chicago and Holly (Jim) Vinson of Chillicothe and their daughter Gabriella Vinson and Gabi's brother Isaac Gilmore-Kiefer. Further surviving are three great grandchildren Riley Fisher, Coby Donaldson, and Chayce Schlueter; one brother John Henderliter and one sister Julia (Homer) Smith both of Canton, IL. Preceding her in death was one infant son Randy Donaldson, one son Gary Peters one infant sister Eloise and one brother James. She started working as a waitress in her younger years. She then worked as a cook at Fireside Nursing Home in Peoria Heights and also at Parkhill Nursing Home in Chillicothe. She also managed Dorothy's Figurines in Chillicothe for several years. She then worked for Yocum's Retirement Senior Living Center as a cook before retiring in 1992. Dorothy began life in Cuba, IL where she attended grade school. She and her family then moved to East Peoria in August of 1952 attending East Peoria High School. She lived in various locations including Aufschenberg, Germany, Chillicothe, Hanna City, and most recently Hopewell for almost 30 years. She and her husband traveled annually all over the United States and Canada attending Barber Shop Singing Conventions as her husband is an active member of the Pride of Peoria Barber Shop Chorus. She was a lady of simple means enjoying the morning paper over coffee daily with her husband at the dining table doing cryptoquote and crossword puzzles, texting her family, reading emails, and watching the Decorah Iowa eagles from hatchings to fledglings on the internet, and playing Bookworm, Scrabble or Rummy with her daughters. She cooked special food daily for her beloved dog Oskar, and her step dog Henry who visited occasionally from Chicago. She liked to go "garagin" with her friends, collecting various eclectic treasures including Tweety Bird, birds, butterflies, small chairs, rocking horses, cobalt blue glass, woven wheat creations, minature trinkets, and lots of "bling" as in jewelry and clothes. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, cooking, baking, and reading. No one was a stranger to her and she abided by her philosophy of "live and let live." Cremation rites have been accorded with private services being held at a later date. Memorials may be given in her name to Rescue 33 in Chillicothe. Notes of condolence may be sent to www.peoriafuneral.com