Dorothy West
Dorothy Mae West, 83, was born June 17, 1924 in Mineral Point, Wis. She died suddenly with complications related to pneumonia in Mercy Hospital, Janesville, Wis., on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.

A Funeral Mass was held at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard on Sunday, March 30, 2008 with Reverend Donald Ruppert officiating. Burial services followed in Holy Cross Cemetery in East Bernard. Funeral Meal hosted by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Saint Bernadette Court No.1108. Funeral Directors were Knesek Funeral Home of Wallis and Hansen Funeral Home of Janesville, Wis.

Mrs. West was reared in Mineral Point, Wis., attending Saint Paul's Catholic Church. The family moved to Janesville, Wis., in 1935 following the closing of Zinc Works, where her father was employed as a chemist. He took employment at the Chevrolet/Fisher Body plant in Janesville. The family attended Saint Mary's Catholic Church and later Saint John Vianney Catholic Church. She lived in Janesville with Fancy her faithful cat.

She graduated from Janesville High School Class of 1943 and had some college education. Mrs. West was employed in the Parts & Service Division of Chevrolet Motor Company; was a typist for Col. Robert S. Jackson, U.S. Air Service Command at Wilber Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, and also was a model during her early 20s.

Survivors include her daughter Carole Alvarez and husband Oscar of Houston; daughter Terrie Vacek and husband Mark of East Bernard and Willis; Susie Hillison and husband Steven of Monroe, Wis.; eight grandchildren, Kirsten Maryott of California, Richard Anderson of Texas, John Anderson and wife Brandi of Texas, Michael Anderson of Texas, Margy Anderson-Pyka and husband Patrick of Texas, Natalie Coy and husband Brad of Ohio, Heather Hall and husband Jake of Ohio, Meghan Birt of Wisconsin; six step-grandchildren, Oscar Alvarez Jr. and wife Kristina, Cheryl Dusek and husband Patrick of Texas, Mark John Vacek and wife Vickie of Texas, Jennifer Smith and husband Josh of Texas, Andrew Vacek and wife Jennifer of Texas, and Steven Hillison Jr. of Rhode Island; 10 great-grandchildren, Jordan Anderson, Devin Pyka, Faith Pyka, Kendyl Anderson, Tyler Anderson Powers, Bryson Anderson, all of Texas, and Leyton VanHoose, Sydney Coy, Addison Bauser, and Jaxon Hall, all of Ohio; five step-greatgrandchildren, Dylan Dusek, Logan Dusek, Ayden Smith, Angie Alvarez, Anika Smith of Texas, Aidan Hillison of Rhode Island; and first cousins, Wayne Collins of Wisconsin and Marilyn Ferris of Illinois.

Mrs. West was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Collins-Jackson in 1950 and Charles Israel Jackson in 1959; infant brother and three-yearold sister, Marion Jackson in 1923; husbands, Carl R. Heatherly in 1964 and Jerry West; and many close cousins.

Special Care givers for Dorothy include: Margaret Kline with Senior Services of Rock County, Terri Fritzke a friend, and Jenny Dopkins with Rock County Human Services in Wisconsin.

Celebrant was Rev. Don Ruppert and lector was Patricia Michulka and Debbie Guthman.

Pallbearers were her grandsons. Gift bearers were her granddaughters.

Placement of the funeral pall were Carol and Oscar Alvarez and Terrie and Mark Vacek.

Other participants were Helen Mica, Ann Kramr and Henriette Jalowy.

Altar servers were Christopher Vacek and Trisha Polak. Music was performed by Jan Kopycinski. Greeters were Tommy and Donna Vacek.