Dorothy “Dottie” E. Eads

Dorothy “Dottie” E. Eads, 81, departed to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, Indiana.

Born on April 27, 1942 in Teegarden, Indiana to Floyd and Mary (Buss) Gardner, Dorothy attended Lincoln High School in Plymouth, Indiana and graduated with the class of 1960. On November 4, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Arlis Eads, at the Church of the Brethren.  In addition to starting a family, she attended Vogue Beauty School and Ancilla College.

Successfully balancing her family and work life for nearly thirty years, Dorothy enjoyed eagerly working with students in the Plymouth Community School Corporation as a teacher’s aide and attendance secretary. Later on, she enjoyed clerically serving Marshall County residents at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Plymouth Branch. She finished her employment years skillfully performing registrar duties for the Marshall County Health Department. She retired in 2002. Dorothy was a member of the Church of the Brethren. Throughout her years, she also volunteered as a 4-H youth leader, election day poll worker, and caregiver to others.

Dorothy was a resourceful, independent, and determined woman. She had a strong work ethic and never hesitated encouraging the same standard in others. Those who knew and loved her quickly learned to accept, appreciate, and even admire her strong-willed nature which helped her survive life’s trials and tribulations. In addition to fierce determination, she will also be remembered as a nurturing, fun-loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to others. Dorothy took great pride in herself and the Eads home. Putting forth great effort in looking her best for others, preparing her home for entertaining (especially offering her delicious, homemade food), and encouraging extended stays were the norm for Dorothy. Although she valued being with her family most, her other passions included watching Notre Dame football games, traveling in the Southwest deserts, sunbathing on the hottest of days, tending to outdoor gardening, biking throughout Plymouth parks, and taking long walks even in the wintertime. She never missed an opportunity to joyfully greet others with her bright, beautiful smile and feisty, friendly spirit.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Kimberly (Craig) Jones of London, Ontario Canada; Melissa (Steven) DeFord of Warsaw; Marc (Teresa) Eads of Plymouth; grandchildren: Brandii (Levi) Wilson, Ryan DeFord, Madison Jones, and Taylor Jones; great-grandchildren Libby Wilson and Paige Wilson. She also enjoyed being a loving “Aunt Dottie” to her many, many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Arlis. Dorothy proudly grew up in a large, farm family, and preceding her in death are sisters: Faye Damuth, Evelyn Summerlot, Martha Sherrill, and Winifred Smith; and brothers: Kenneth, Harlan, Charles, Keith, Mike, and David Gardner.

Please plan to casually and comfortably attend the visitation on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 11-1 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Funeral services will immediately follow with Pastor Chuck Krieg officiating.

Please click the link below to live-stream the funeral service at 1PM on Saturday, September 9th:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84251329853

Burial will take place at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Marshall County, 314 E. Jefferson Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.