Dorothy M. Townsend

Dorothy M. Townsend

(April 1, 1923 – May 26, 2022)

Dorothy M. Bennett Townsend , 99, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2022 in her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Jerrald Bennett officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the Illinois Talking Book Outreach Center.

Dorothy was born on April 1, 1923 in Coles County, IL the daughter of Brent Ambrose and Winona Ashmore Bennett. She married Harold “Bud” G. Townsend on July 23, 1943. He died on January 13, 2013. Together they raised six children and their full and busy home could be called the “Townsend Orphanage.”

Dorothy was a homemaker until 1968 when she went to work at Sears, followed by her being employed at Grabb Motors, retiring in 1985. Since then she kept herself busy by quilting, crocheting, and knitting. One of her quilts won first place in the small town fund celebration held at the Visitors Center in 1995. Her activities have benefited Head Start, local hospitals, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and Villas of Holly Brook. Whereas Bud enjoyed playing dominoes every Sunday, Dorothy enjoyed playing “bump” every Sunday afternoon with relatives – occasionally calling her son-in-law a “dirty bird.”

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Townsend of Grants, NM, Winona Anderson and husband Jon of Mattoon, IL, Linda Stewardson and husband Carl of Shelbyville, IL, Betty Downing and husband Larry of Milan, NM,  and Deborah Switzer and husband Roger of Anacortes, WA; nine grandchildren, Angela Zamarrippa (Ike), Michael Milcarek (Becki), Billy Mitchell (Amber), Curt Stewardson (Rachel), Becky Mahaffey (David), Clint Shull, Amanda McClellan (Lee), Joey Garcia (Rosalee), and Rachelle Gravil; 11 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and numerous step-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bud; son, Robert; brothers, John Bennett and wife Laura, Earl Bennett and wife Opal, Robert Bennett and wife Phyllis; brother-in-law, Gareth and wife Retha; and great grandson, Gage McClellan.