Dorothy Evelyn WestendorfFORT WAYNE – With great sadness, yet blessed, the family of Dorothy Evelyn Bennett Westendorf, 91, announce her passing on April 18, 2023, at her home in Leesburg, surrounded by her loving family.
Dorothy was the second youngest of six children of the late Russell and Evelyn Bennett, Fort Wayne. She graduated from Central Catholic High School and later married Joseph Neil Westendorf (surviving) in October of 1953, starting a family that eventually grew to nine children. They moved to Lake Tippecanoe in 1969 where she raised her family and made the old lake house a family home.
Dorothy is survived by her husband of almost 70 years; son, Doug Westendorf; five daughters: Deb Westendorf, Kim Trammel (Don), Nancy Westendorf, JoAnn Brown (Jeff), Michelle Davis (Chris); 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and her brother, Paul Bennett. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Laura Westendorf and Barbara Essig; a son, Joey Westendorf; and daughter-in-law, Beverly Westendorf; sisters, Arlene Ley, Mary Weigand; brothers, Tom and Bob Bennett.
Mass of Christian burial is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 24 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2130 Pemberton Drive, Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Visitation is also Sunday, April 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. The rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Warsaw or to St. Jude Catholic Church Fort Wayne.
To sign the online guest book, go to www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.
