Dorothy Mae Hire

Dorothy Mae Hire, age 102, of Millersburg, Indiana passed away surrounded by her family, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville, Indiana She was born on September 8, 1922 to Marshall and Lucille (Steward) Angel at her Grandparent Stewart's Farm in Elkhart County, Indiana. She attended school at the Hex School in her early years before moving to Cromwell where she attended the Cromwell School playing basketball for the Spartans. She graduated in 1940.

On November 22, 1941 Dorothy married Warren Hire. They began their married lives together in the Cromwell area. They moved to the Beck farm in Indian Village. At this home they brought 5 children into the world, Thomas, Stephen, Marsha, Marie, and Quentin. It was there where they suffered the first of two devastating fires. The barn burnt taking their herd of milk cows and several pieces of equipment. They rebuilt the barn and continued on.

In 1953, the family moved to the Shouts farm near Benton. Warren purchased a brand new 1953 Farmall Super M Tractor. This is where Jon, Scott, and Melanie joined the family.

Once again in 1959 they packed up and moved to their present location which was purchasing the Joint Farm near Millersburg. Two more children joined the clan, Lori and Angela. Dorothy lived at this location for more than 60 years. The family lost their house and garage to yet another fire in February 1987. They rebuilt a new home which is where Dorothy then resided. Dorothy has lived in Benton Township for all but 11 of her 100 years.

Besides raising her family, she also canned and froze produce from their garden. She also raised chickens to sell to support their family. She would butcher and cut them up to sell to customers for $1.00.

She also worked at Essex, Fashion Farm (the last time in her 90's), managed the Snack Shack at the Mount Wawasee Ski Lodge, Handy Pantry, owned and worked at Irene's Donut Shop and the D & W Restaurant in Ligonier. She ran a very successful catering business, which was well known for her baked steak and homemade pies; Graham Cracker Pie being her specialty. She and Warren could be found working suppers at the Hex Grange and Richville Church. They also made maple syrup for their sugar camp. They cooked the syrup in the kitchen in their home.

Dorothy belonged to several organizations over the years. Pythian Sisters, Life Member of Grange, Life Member of Richville Church, and Jayco Club. Dorothy's best friend was Betty Rice.

In her spare time, she enjoyed many years of camping, traveling and going to the casino. She and Warren traveled west to visit family up and down the West coast for several years. They visited Alaska and wintered in Apache Junction, Arizona. Dorothy was a very strong and independent woman, Not only going through two fires, she had a knee replacement and at the age of 90 she had a heart bypass surgery.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Marie Dillon of Shipshewanna, Quentin Hire of Syracuse, Melanie Epert of Wawaka, Lori (Kurt) Dressler of Kendallville, and Angela (Paul) Bickel of New Paris; two siblings, Jerry (Sharon) Angel and Jim (Geri) Angel, both of Elkhart, 26 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-laws, Jeannine Hire of Three Rivers, Michigan, Linda Hire of New Paris, and Jodi Reasor; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by he husband of over 63 years, Warren G. Hire; five children, Thomas Hire, Stephen Hire, Marsha Coak, Jon Hire, and Scott Hire; and siblings, Paul Angel and Nancy Weaver.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Richville Community Church, 11009 County Road 50, Ligonier, IN 46767.  Pastor Greg Hire will officiate. Burial will follow at Hire Cemetery in Ligonier.

Family and friends will be received from 12 -3 pm prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Richville Community Church.