Dorothy (Herron) Olinger

Dorothy (Herron) Olinger, also known as "Dottie," "Dot", "Red"  or "Grandma Red" went to be united with her heavenly family on Sunday, August 7th, 2022. Dorothy graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1964. Soon after graduation she  married Charles Sowders in August of 1965. Together they had three children and ultimately made their home in Mishawaka until their divorce. Dorothy worked as the Office Manager at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home for 20 years until her retirement in 2001. During that same year she married Richard Olinger and together they moved to Paris, Tennessee.

Dorothy is survived by her children Stacy (Trent) Smith, Charles (Chiara) Sowders, grandchildren Madalyn (Anthony) Schmidt, Casey Smith, Conner (Michaela) Sowders and her sisters Charlotte West, Brenda (Steve) Dermody and  Lisa (Doug) Estridge. Also surviving is her best friend since 2nd grade, Karen Edgin. She was preceded in death by her infant son Todd Sowders, her husband Rich Olinger, her parents William and Lilly Herron, and her brother Jerry Herron.

Dorothy was partial to the sunshine as well as excessively hot weather. Her refusal to turn on the air conditioning was often  frustrating for visiting family. She enjoyed gardening and could never seem to buy enough flowers. You would see her putzing from morning till night to make sure the flowers were living their best life.  She loved buying shoes and was never one to leave the house without doing her hair and lipstick. Because of this she was constantly late to everything. Dorothy took in every stray cat imaginable and her kindness knew no bounds when it came  to their care. Her own cat Callie enjoyed eating out of six different food bowls just so she could have "a variety."

Dorothy was a collector of many things and going “garage saling” with her sisters was one of her favorite pastimes.  This was often followed by lunch at Tradewinds. She had a proclivity for taking photographs and because of that she had a very well documented life. Anytime she came up from Tennessee she was sure to show you photographs of her home. Like all members of the Herron clan she was a skilled volleyball player and continued this aptitude throughout her life playing on the senior Olympic volleyball  team. Above all things however,  her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren play and coach sports. She was so very proud of all of them and would tell anyone around of their accomplishments.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola with a celebration of Dorothy’s life to follow at 7pm.  To light a virtual candle, share a story of her life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.