Dorothy Lee D.L. Whitledge

WHITLEDGE, Dorothy Lee D.L.
Of Schoolcraft On November 7th, Heaven welcomed a new Angel when Dorothy Lee D.L. Usher Whitledge passed away peacefully at home with her husband Marvin by her side. Their last words to each other were "I Love You." She was born on October 14, 1923 in Lima, OH. She was the daughter of Louis and Eloise Roberts Usher. Her father was an All-American in football at Syracuse University and went on to play for the Chicago Bears in the 1920's. Dorothy's family moved to Toledo, OH when she was seven years old. She lived there until leaving to attend High Point College in N.C., where she was the editor of the college newsletter and the yearbook. She graduated Cum Laude in 1944 with a B.A. in Journalism. In late WWII, she worked at Libby-Owens Ford Glass and while there was the first female editor of that company's magazine. During her journalism career, she worked as a reporter on two different newspapers, The Portage Herald and The Galesburg Argus. Dorothy was married for 65 years to Marvin Whitledge. They were married on March 9, 1946. Her hobbies included coin and stamp collecting, crossword puzzles and knitting. D.L. and Marvin were members of Friday night bridge clubs. She knitted and donated over 1, 000 hats for newborns at Bronson Hospital. Marvin and D.L. traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad and enjoyed attending Whitledge family reunions in Kentucky on a regular basis. She was a member of the East Main Church of Christ in Kalamazoo and in later years, the 12th Street Church of Christ in Portage. She was active in Bible Study, signed sermons for the hearing impaired and participated in delivering materials to the Healing Hands charity in Nashville, TN. Marvin and Dorothy moved to Portage in 1959. Their children, are Laurie Le Clear of Richland, Marti Mineo deceased, Mark Jamie Whitledge of Mattawan and Thom Cyndy Whitledge of Schoolcraft. The couple have three Grandchildren, Beth Russell White, Duncan Whitledge and Usher Whitledge. They have two Great-Granddaughters, Raelyn and Macie White. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Janice Usher Greeson. D.L. always had something nice to say about everyone she met. Throughout her life, she stayed in contact with high school and college friends. She corresponded with pen pals from around the world on a regular basis. Visitation will be on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Services will be held on Saturday at 2pm at the Portage Chapel with visitation from 1-2 pm prior to the service. Memorial contributions in Dorothy's memory may be directed to a Christian Orphanage of your choice, Healing Hands International or any Church of Christ. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online register book and leave a condolence to the family, directions, memorial contributions and video tribute. 269 343-1508.