Dorothea Barthel

Dorothea J. Barthel, 89 of Niles, passed away at home with her daughter by her side.

Dorothea was born on October 6, 1932 to the late Paul and Dorothea (Bunch) Zielinski.

She lived in Niles almost her entire life. On August 24, 1957, she married William E. Barthel who passed away in 2006.

Dorothea is preceded in death by her parents, her husband William, her daughter Lesley and her siblings, Paul Jr., Shirley, Patricia and Lova.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Pamela J. Hively of Niles, her grandson, Joshua Hively of South Bend and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothea was a long time Teacher’s Aid at Brandwine Public Schools. She had such a passion for reading education that after she retired, Dorothea continued on as a volunteer aid for several years.  She had a love of reading and teaching children how to read. She had also been a Girl Scout Leader.  Dorothea was an avid reader and enjoyed passing her love of books on to the next generation. When she could, Dorothea enjoyed going to Ludington and spending time on the beach, reading and watching the sunset.

A Memorial Service for Dorothea will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022 from 11:00am to 12 noon at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles.  A Funeral Service will begin at the funeral home at Noon. Burial of Cremains will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.  There will be a live stream of the Funeral Service available at https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Memorials in Dorothea’s name may be made at https://www.alz.org/