Oconto County WIGenWeb Project

Dorothy Faye Borneman, 82, Oconto, her valiant effort to stay with us finally ended March 28 at the Woodland Nursing Home in Oconto She had suffered from diabetes and a congestive heart problem, plus in recent months, a hip fracture. She was born Dec. 10, 1927 in Murphysboro, Ill. and was a 1945 graduate of Murphysboro High School. Her mother, Clara McClure, was an inspiration to Dorothy. After her mothers husband abandoned his wife and six children during the Great Depression, Clara raised Dorothy and the other children with care and compassion. Dorothys home told volumes about her. It was filled with dozens of photos of her children and grandchildren, but very few photos of Dorothy herself. She loved life, especially flowers and her flower garden, birds and watching the deer which her husband, Bill, fed daily. Dorothy loved and had pet dogs all of her Oconto life. She and her husband of nearly 41 years came to Oconto in February 1972, having purchased the struggling Oconto County Reporter newspaper. Both left positions with the Daily Times newspaper in Ottawa, Ill. where her husband was managing editor, and Dorothy was one of the fastest and most accurate copy setters. During their first two years in Oconto, they faced difficult times trying to make the newspaper and two Shoppers Guides they started into at least a profitable business. Her husband said Dorothy was the key to finally enabling the business to at least break even. He said while he was in charge of news and advertising, Dorothy directed the production, personnel and the bookkeeping. For over 30 years, Dorothy continued to head the business bookkeeping aspect, even after the business was sold in the 1990s. She remained an integral part of the business until retiring about three years ago. Though outspoken, she possessed a keen sense of humor. However, she was not socially active in he community, belonging only to the First American Lutheran Church. Instead, she devoted her time to the business and family. She loved each of the four seasons, including winters and always insisted she wanted to be buried in Oconto. Yet, she admitted to one flaw. She enjoyed occasional trips to the casino with her newspaper friend, Colleen Messenger. Dorothy is survived by her husband, William (Bill); two daughters, Clara (Paul) Weiss of Green Bay, Chona Zimmerman of Oconto Falls; one son, Charles (Debbie) Spicer of Baton Rouge, La.; one sister, Sally Pitts of Streator, Ill.; one brother, Robert McClure of Merrillville, Ind.; her two faithful Yorkies, Abby and BB; grandchildren, Carrie Weiss, Emma Weiss, Madison Spicer, Marshall Spicer, Rachael Spicer and James Zimmerman; great-grandchildren, James Zimmerman and Jared Zimmerman; a stepson, William D. (Doris) Borneman of Cypress, Texas. a stepdaughter, Carol (Tom) Hall of Sanford, Fla.; two step grandchildren, Markus Borneman and Monika Borneman; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, who passed away while residing with Dorothy in 1992; two brothers Charles and Toby McClure, and one sister, Estelle. Dorothy recalled one of the saddest experiences in her life was when her brother, Charles, was killed in Korea. She was especially grateful during her illness to the attention paid to her by her two grandchildren, Carrie Weiss and Emma Weiss, who always visited their grandmother when they were home from college. The family expresses its sincere thanks to the care and love shown Dorothy by her home care friend, Jackie Bake, and Chris and Mary of Unity Hospice and the entire staff at Woodland Village in Oconto and the members of First American and Pastor Mary. Dorothy will always be missed by her family. She left them with a lasting impression of love and compassion. Though she was only a high school graduate, her life proved her wisdom was far beyond her educational achievements. Visitation will be held Wednesday (today) from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at First American Lutheran Church, 511 Madison St., Oconto. Private services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with Pastor Mary Zupansic officiating. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto. Memorials will be appreciated in Dorothys name at the Oconto Area Humane Society Shelter, P.O. Box 100, Oconto, WI 54153. The Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net. Visitation: 12 Noon to 2 PM at First American Lutheran Church 511 Madison St. Oconto, WI 54153 on March 31, 2010 (map/driving directions) Service: Private services will be held at 2 PM