Born October 31, 1930, Dorthy Jean (Redman) Van Houten came into this world. She is the daughter of the late Pearl Engel Redman and Bertha (Fisher) Redman and sister to the late Pearl J. Redman and Mary Jane (Redman) Davis. At the ripe old age of 85, she passed on December 3, 2015 at the Magnolia Terrace in Galion, Ohio. A 1948 Cardington graduate, she went on to marry the late Howard E. Van Houten in December of 1950, traveling to Biloxi, Missippi, to start her new life with him there.
Returning to Ohio, they started their family with the birth of their children, Dale (Dianne) Van Houten of Cardington, Ohio; Von (Dawn) Van Houten of Martel, Ohio; June (Mike) Wolfel of Orlando, Florida; and Sherri Jo (Dan) Bentley of Marion, Ohio.
From these children came grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren: Dale E. (Rocio) Van Houten, daughter Emily of Michigan; David L. Van Houten of Michigan; Snapper (Lisa) Van Houten, daughter Raven of Galion, Ohio; Shaun M. (Lisa) Wolfel of Winter Springs, Florida, their children Chase, Gavin, and Scarlett; Trisha (Davin) Kozlik, son Stewart of Marion, Ohio; Kelsey Barlow of Marion, Ohio; and Seth Bentley of Pickerington, Ohio. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Ruth (Harry) Brokaw and brother-in-law Duane (Cheryl) Van Houten, beloved friends Wilma Jean Davis and Dianna Haycook, and many nieces and nephews.
Her work career was spent at Bonanza in Marion, Ohio, where she attended to the salad bar and later moved to the back to become the salad bar prep cook. She loved seeing the kids come and go and what they accomplished with their lives.
Dorthy loved many activities in her life: homemaker, Grandma, music, TOPS club was a constant center of fun for her, believing that weight was how you ate and not who you were. Her home church of Cornerstone Alliance was her refuge of worship and friendly faces. She was alumni secretary for several years and enjoyed her work for the organization. Gardening, canning, humming in the kitchen, gadding around, playing cards, and time spent with friends made a pleasant life for her.
Our mother will be missed, but we know that she lives on in our hearts and that her spirit lives in us. Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Oh, what she is seeing now, God is good all the time.
We the family would like to give out deep gratitude to the staff and family care given to our mother at Magnolia Terrace during her time there. Words are never enough to express what they mean to us.
Calling hours will be held at Boyd-Born Funeral Home on December 7, 2015 from 10 AM to 12 PM. Service will follow at 12 PM with Pastor Tim Miller officiating. Burial will follow service at the Chapel Heights Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephanie Spielman Center and the Cornerstone Alliance Church. Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.boydbornfuneralhome.com.
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