Dorothy J. Francis

Dorothy J. Francis, 92, of Hamilton passed away January 11, 2016 at her residence of Westover Retirement Community. She was born in Hamilton on July 11, 1923, the daughter of Otto and Katherine (Grade) Zoller. In addition to her husband Albert, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Donald Zoller and sister Marie (Zoller) Spurlin. Dorothy was a third generation Zoller in Hamilton. Her grandfather Michael Zoller arrived in Hamilton in 1863. He was born in Rohrbach, Germany and immigrated first to Berlin, Ontario, Canada before moving to Hamilton. Her mother Katherine (Grade) Zoller was of German and Prussian ancestry. Her Uncle Scott Zoller was Treasurer of Champion Papers and cousin Adeline Zoller was a well known volunteer and philanthropist in Hamilton. Dorothy or “Dot” or “Dottie” graduated from Hamilton High School in 1941 and attended Hamilton Business College. She met Albert at a U.S.O. dance at the Hamilton Y.W.C.A and they were married Oct. 31, 1942. After her two sons were in school she went to work at Hamilton businesses National Can Co. and Pillsbury Co. She lived her entire life, excluding two years in Georgia during W.W.II, within a one mile radius in Hamilton. She learned to play bridge when she was in her late 60’s. Dorothy loved her family and enjoyed her vegetable garden and her yard flowers. She was always frugal and there were few “extras” in her home. Sons Dave and Steve were promptly put to work when they reached age 10 delivering the morning newspaper every day of the week until they graduated from high school. Dorothy was a member of the Y.W.C.A. and the Y.M.C.A. She and Al literally opened the downtown Y.M.C.A building every morning at6:00 AM. She was a member of Park Avenue Evangelical United Brethern Church. The E.U.B. Church purchased 4,000 acres in Warren County from the Shakers in 1916 and this eventually became Otterbein Retirement Community. She is survived by two sons, Dave (Sharon) Francis, Lebanon and Steve (Rita) Francis, Hamilton, six grandchildren: Tara (Svante) Lindberg, Kate (Ken) Reed, Tyler (Zisha) Francis, Courtnay (John) McCart, Phil (Lauren) Francis, and Andrew (Kerry) Francis, and nine great grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com

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Dorothy J. Francis

July 11, 1923 - January 11, 2016