OBIT: Dorothy Pearl Painter (formerly of Kittanning)

Dorothy Pearl (Crate) Painter, 103, of Lower Burrell, PA, formerly of Kittanning, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born August 9, 1911 in Falls Creek, Jefferson Co., PA, to William Ross Crate and Emma (Wiley) Crate.

Dorothy lived in Kittanning almost all of her life and was married to Donald C. Painter on December 5, 1935 for 61 years, until his passing on March 9, 1996. She was a member of the First Church of God and was active in the church, serving as a former children’s Sunday school teacher and also assisting with the youth meetings. As a young woman, she was employed as a clerk at F.W. Woolworth’s 5 & 10 and later worked for Montgomery Wards and Harts Home Store, which were all former businesses of Kittanning.

Dorothy was previously a volunteer at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, worked with the PTA at the Kittanning schools and served many years as a Girl Scout troop leader. Dorothy and her husband enjoyed years of camping and traveling with the Lively Loafers and Salt Shakers camping clubs. They were also members of the National Campers and Hikers Association and Good Sam’s club. In the winter months, they enjoyed visiting their daughter, Yvonne, and her family in Florida, and visited their other children and grandchildren during the warmer weather.

Recently, she moved to Lower Burrell to live with her daughter. Dorothy then became a member of the Church of God of Lower Burrell, where she enjoyed being a part of her church’s “prayer chain” and attending services lead by the Rev. Douglas Crump. Throughout her lifetime, Dorothy was fond of herb gardening, doing craft projects and sewing.

Her memory will be cherished by her sons, Donald R. Painter and wife, Julia, of Magnolia, DE, and Leroy C. Painter and wife, Patricia, of Searcy, AR; daughters, Emma Yvonne Burton, of Tallahassee, FL, and JoAnn R. Painter, of Lower Burrell; grandchildren, Donald W. Painter and wife, Diana, of Greenville, SC, Barbara L. Hovanec and husband, Geoff, of Morrisville, PA, John C. Burton, III, of Tallahassee, FL; step-grandsons, Michael Smith and wife, Patricia, of Las Vegas, NV, and Mitchell Smith and wife, Rebecca, of Yatesboro; great-grandchildren, Maggie, Austin and Julianna; step-great-grandchildren, Shawn and Vanessa; sister-in-law, Roberta (Painter) Johnston, of Kittanning; cousin, Pearl Watkins, of Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and all of their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband; brothers, Lloyd Ross Crate and James Dale Crate; and sister, Elizabeth Irene Painter.

Friends will be received from 11 AM until the time of funeral services at 2 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning, with the Rev. Douglas Crump officiating. Interment will be in Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA.

Contributions may be given in her memory to the Church of God of Lower Burrell, PO Box 2046, Lower Burrell, PA 15068.

To send a condolence to Dorothy’s family, visit www.bauerfuneral.com.