Dorothy Willis

Dorothy Jane Klooster Willis, age 93, of Beaver Island passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022 at her home.

Dorothy was born in Hayes Township, Charlevoix, Michigan on February 17, 1929 to Ralph J. Klooster and Frankie (Jackson) Klooster.  Dorothy married James Willis Jr. on September 10, 1949 in the Charlevoix United Methodist Church.

She attended grade school Undine County School, and graduated from the Charlevoix High School.  She worked at Michigan Bell Telephone Company and retired from Kroger’s after more than 20 years.  She also ran the concession stand at the baseball fields for many years while her husband umpired the ball games.

Dorothy was a member of the Beaver Island Christian Church and the Community Reformed Church in Charlevoix.  She was an active member in the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.  Dorothy lived in Charlevoix until 1984 when she moved permanently to Beaver Island after she and Jim both retired.  She loved working in her yard and enjoyed watching the deer. 

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Ann of Charlevoix, Michigan, a granddaughter, Ashley Tracey of Hillman, two nieces, Louise Bascom of Ellsworth and Lorraine Warner of Petoskey, a nephew, Harold DeYoung of Ellsworth, and great-granddaughter Eva.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her son, Donald J. Willis, two sisters, Esther DeYoung and Marie Heise and a niece, Marilyn DeYoung

The funeral service will be held at noon on Wednesday, June 15, at Community Reformed Church in Charlevoix with Rev. Steve Boven officiating with her Beaver Island friend Fr. Jim Siler contributing. Visitation will be held at the Mortensen Funeral Home in Charlevoix, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, between and 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and one hour prior to the funeral at the church.  Burial will be at Barnard Cemetery, Charlevoix following the funeral service and luncheon. 

 A memorial service will be held at the Beaver Island Christian Church at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 12.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to The Beaver Island Christian Church, The Community Reformed Church or The Heart Center of Munson Hospital.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com