Dorothy Daniels Obituary

Dorothy Daniels

Jul 11, 1925 - Jul 4, 2022

Berlin Heights, OH

Dorothy Wright Bittner Daniels came into the world on July 11, 1925, in Berlin Heights, Ohio, launching an almost 97-year odyssey of baton twirling, water skiing, ballroom dancing, and apple pie baking that brightened whatever corner of the world she happened find herself in. She passed away July 4, 2022, and will be greatly missed.

A member of National Honor Society, she graduated from Milan High School just as the nation was engaging in WWII, assembling radios for the war effort at Philco and marrying a GI, who gave her two wonderful children and mercifully, a divorce.

She went on to meet and marry the love of her life, Henry Daniels â€" a second marriage for them both â€" and merged their families in 1953. Together, they traveled the world, tore up the dance floor, and got involved in just about any group that looked like they were enjoying themselves. They established a winter home in Estero, Florida in the 1970s that resulted in significant photographic evidence that the Fountain of Youth is real and setting an almost unattainably high bar for joie de vivre.

She was employed by Firelands Insurance Agency for 40 years and was a member of 1st Congregational United Church of Christ in Berlin Heights, Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 659, Berlin Heights Historical Society, and Berlin Heights Garden Club.

She took pride in looking her best, never missing her weekly hair appointment on Friday morning or a sale at Macy's, which is how she turned every empty space in the house into a closet. She was unambiguously independent and enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, and baked a mean apple pie, usually starting the process at 11 p.m. She learned to camp at age 81.

She is survived by her daughters, Jane Stilgenbauer and Dolly Fierst; daughter-in-law, Sharon Bittner; grandchildren, William (Sandy) Salim Jr., Shelley (Brad) Mencher, Sarah Stilgenbauer, Bryan (Sara) Bittner, and Ben Bittner; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Daniels; parents, Stanley Wright and Marjorie Dildine; son, Tom Bittner; sons-in-law, Ron Fierst and Rob Stilgenbauer; brothers, Richard Wright, Harold Wright, and Stan Wright; and friend and companion, Neil Weilnau.

Friends and family may call on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. at Morman-Hinman Funeral Home, 38 South Street, Berlin Heights. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Pastor Mel Sayler will be officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.mormanfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to The Berlin Heights Historical Society at 18 E. Main St., Berlin Heights, Ohio, 44814, or American Legion Post 659.