AKRON – Doris Elizabeth Newton, 94, died at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 12, 2014, at Hickory Creek, Rochester. She was born Aug. 2, 1919, in Kosciusko County, to William and Bessie Shirey Matthews. On Nov. 30, 1940, she married Frank Newton, who passed away Feb. 28, 2001. She was a homemaker and lived her 60 years of married life on a farm in Fulton County. During her life, she was an avid reader, reading two daily newspapers as well as reading many books and magazines. She enjoyed watching TV. She was known in the area for her outstanding flower and vegetable gardens. She always had a cheerful attitude about life. She was a member of the Akron Church of God and enjoyed many church activities with her friends until she was no longer able to drive to church. She was the kind of gramma that you read about in books or see in movies. The kind of gramma that would be in the kitchen, always in a dress with a matching apron, with something good cooking. If she wasn’t in the kitchen, she could be found in her garden, a garden that she nurtured and took pride in. She was the kind of gramma that truly was concerned with every aspect of her family’s lives, a humble woman who truly treated her husband like a king. A woman that put God and family first, never forgetting a birthday and always preparing a feast with everything made from scratch for the family gatherings. Without a doubt, her grandchildren (and children) loved her and knew that she loved them. The time has come for Gramma Doris to be with our Lord. She will be missed, but her memory and dedication to God and family will never be forgotten. Surviving are three daughters: Frances (and spouse Carl) Griner, Lakeland, Fla.; Janie (and spouse Dick) Teel, Mentone; Joanna Weidner, Lakeville; 10 grandchildren: John (and spouse Despina) Lawrence, Tom Lawrence, Jennifer (and spouse Greg) Baisden, all of Lakeland; Debbie (and spouse DeWayne) Doty, Winamac; Brenda Miller, Winona Lake; Heather Teel, Kokomo; Jeff (and spouse Kelly) Weidner, Granger; Chris Weidner, San Antonio, Texas; Linda (and spouse Rick) England, Mentone; Marie (and spouse Brett) Miner, Broomfield, Colo.; 22 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Newton; a daughter-in-law, Wally Vandermark; two grandsons, Scott Teel and Todd Miller; a son-in-law, Garry Weidner; and two older brothers, George and John Matthews. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at King Memorial Home, Mentone, with Pastor Terry Canfield officiating. Burial is at Sycamore Cemetery, Mentone. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. ***** Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
