Dorothy Marie (Wainman) Willis

Dorothy Marie Wainman Willis passed from this life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in the presence of her children.  She was born on September 28, 1937, the third daughter of William Pearl and Mary Catherine (Kelly) Wainman in Gary, Indiana.  While working at Walgreens Department store in Gary, Indiana, she met the love of her life, Dudley D. Willis.  They were married on February 8, 1956, shortly after she graduated from Emerson High School in Gary, Indiana.

During the course of their sixty year marriage, they were blessed with five children:  Donna Marie (Dr. James Sigler), Susan Kathleen (C. David Acree), Timothy Lee (Kay), Jeffrey William (Sue) and Matthew Garret Willis.

She was an avid Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers and Lady Aces Basketball fan.  She maintained a scrapbook of articles from every Lady Aces game for many years and attended every girls’ basketball game possible.

Her husband, Dudley Dean Willis, her parents William P. and Mary C. Wainman, her sisters Patricia Christoff and Theresa Yugo, and a brother, William J. Wainman preceded her in death.

She is remembered by her five children; six grandchildren:  James D. Sigler, Aaron D. and Adam M. Acree, Sean R. Willis, Zachary D. Willis, and Brooke A. Velt; nine great-grandchildren:  Lily and Alexander Sigler, Jayden, Adalyn and Amelia Acree, Isaiah Dobbins, Grayson, Peyton and Damien Velt; a sister Mary Helen Wainman; and five brothers:  Thomas H., Michael K., John J., Robert E., and Paul R. Wainman.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 14, 2018, from 11:30 to 1:00 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  A funeral mass will proceed at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Dorothy’s name be sent to the Lady Aces Basketball Team or Saint Mary’s Catholic School.  Envelopes will be available the day of the service and at Short Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Dorothy’s family.

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