Dorothy Louise “Dorie” Dunning Kaufman Heckman, 66, of Russell, PA. went home to her Lord and Savior, Saturday morning, December 24, 2011 at the John and Orpha Blair Hospice Home, Warren, PA. after an illness since October 2011. She was born August 8, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA. to the late Charles S. and Ruth Hayes Dunning. Dorie grew up in Penn Hills and graduated with high honors from Penn Hills High School and with Distinction from Otterbein College in Westerville, OH with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught for 12 years in Westerville, OH, Kindergarten for in Holiday Park, PA. and was the Center Director of the Penn Hill Kinder Care Learning Centers for 13 years. After retiring, she drove a van for special needs students and in 1999 she worked as the Administrative Assistant for the Western PA Prison Outreach Ministry where she also volunteered in leading a weekly Bible study in Spanish in the Federal prison. She was a member of the Akeley United Methodist Church and a former member of the Holiday Park United Methodist Church of Plum Borough, PA.
She enjoyed boating, skiing, reading, genealogy, sewing, camping and working on the computer to prepare power point presentations and web pages. Served on many local church committees and several Conference Teams and as a Certified Lay
Speaker and pianist. She presented a monologue of her great-great grandmother portraying life of a Circuit Rider’s family in her “Journey Through Methodist History” in PA., MD, DE, VA, and MN Methodist Churches where her ancestors had served as pastors. She was a women of strong faith and values, which made a great partner in her husband’s ministry.
She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Rev. David T. Heckman, Pastor of the Russell and Akeley United Methodist Churches, whom she married in 1984, 2 Daughters – Tracy S. Kaufman and her husband, Steven Cassidy of Dublin, OH., Sherry L. Conrad and her husband, Sean of Steubenville, OH., 1 Step Daughter – Michelle Heckman Corna and husband, Eric of Vandergrift, PA., 5 Grandchildren – Nick Ruefle, Megan and Mark Cassidy, Delaney Colder and Kaitlyn Conrad, 1 Cousin – Robert Dunning Weaver of Auburn, CA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Step Mother – Charlotte Gay Dunning, her 1st Husband, Keith Kaufman whom she married in 1966.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 A.M. in First United Methodist Church, 200 Market St, Warren, with Rev. Tom Strandburg, District Superintendent of the United Methodist Western Conference, officiating. Additionally, friends will be received in Pittsburgh at Holiday Park United Methodist Church, 81 Sandune Drive, Plum Borough, PA. on Friday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. when a funeral service will be conducted with Rev. Joel Garrett, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville, PA. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Prison Outreach Ministry, P.O. Box 601, Russell, PA. 16345. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. is in charge of funeral arrangements. Those wishing to submit e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Please accept our sincere sympathy as you go through this difficult time. May God’s peace that passes all understanding be with you! God Bless.
Rev. Paul & Gail Thompson
Cloe, Covode & Steffy UMC in Punxsutawney
We pray that you may experience God’s grace in all its many facets at this time. Know that we join you in grief. Dorie was a special friend. But we rejoice, as we know you do, that though absent from the body Dorie is at home with the Lord and that on the day when our Lord and Savior returns we will join her in the promised resurrection and new creation!
The impact you made on this world continues to be significant, Dorie. Your cousin, Bob (my dad) was so close to you–he misses you incredibly. May your passing at this time of year continue to remind all of us about the importance of relationships—with others and especially with God. Sincerely, the Weaver family.
I met Dorie in lay speaking training many years ago . She was always such a joy to be around and was always supportive of all those around her. . Dorie had a great love for the Lord and she lived the faith . Although our circles have changed , we kept open communication over facebook . I can only imagine the grief that is present in her family . My prayers go
out to you. May God`s sustaining peace be with you all .
Tracy and Sherri
So sorry to hear about your mom. She was a great lady to all. My prayers of peace and comfort are with you and the rest of your family at this very difficult time.
Prayers are with you now and in the days to come. I keep thinking Dorie is organizing some thing or some group up in heaven, as she seemed to have several things going at once each time I saw her!
God’s grace and love surround you in this difficult time.
Tracy, our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
We are so sorry for you loss, we are praying for your comfort and strength. May the peace of Christ be with you during this time. Please let us know if we are able to do anything for you.
Great sympathy goes your way to lose such a wonderful lady!!! Oh the fond memories I have of Dorie, my second cousin or third cousin, when she spent time with us at the Darling family reunion in Worthington MN.. We were espcially honored when she spend the night at our home combing through old photo books. What fun it is to find born again Christians in our extended family. Family that we didn’t even knew existed until our search for the reunion. Some day we will meet again, Dorie, you just got there first. Some day we will join you at the feet of Christ.
I will miss my dear friend ,Dorie. To her family I send my prayers and heartfelt sympathy and kindest thoughts for you in your sorrow.
Dave and Dorie what a joy it has been to see the excitement of your ministry; to see the growth from a Bible Study in 1999 with Stan and Randy et. al. We walked with you because of your infectious love for the Lord and your love for the inmates in West Pa Prisons. You made it fun. Your labors were fruitful. How many inmates testimonies have we heard? In english? in spanish? The Good news is preached to the captives! God is glorified! Jesus is lifted up! May the Word always abide in you. May your sorrow be turned to dancing. May He take your clothes of grief and clothe you with joy!
Sherry & Family – please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, may the peace which surpasses all understanding be your comfort. We love you guys!
Tracy and Sherry, I am so sorry to hear about your mom! We were great friends starting in 7th grade through graduation and then the Lord brought us back together on Tivoli Drive. Your mom was one of the most intelligent, energetic, kind and loving persons I have ever known. Just remember that she is now walking beside Jesus and He has said “well done, my good and faithful servant!” The light of our Lord shown through her in everything she did. I am thankful that she was part of my life.
Love, blessings and comfort. You are in my prayers daily.
Love,
Dee (Wehrle, Beebe) Wagner
Dear brother Dave, Annabelle and I send our sympathy and prayers to you and your family. We were sad to hear of Dorie’s death at Christmas time, but we would venture to say that she looked forward to meeting her Lord that she served so faithfully with you in ministry. She reached the Celestial City before you. We pray that you will know the sustaining grace of our heavenly Father in the coming year. We could not attend either of the funeral services because we are with our family in Kentucky at this time. Love and prayers.
Hebrews 12: 2
Dave, our hearts are with you. Dorie was truely a special person. Her ministry was over and beond.
Her love of Jesus will go on and on. She is now in the arms of our Lord and out of her pain.
May you and your family know that your loved and not forgotten.
Let the Lord be with you and yours and my God Bless you all.
Rest in peace Dorie, and never forgetten!!
I only met Dorie once and we had a common heart for those who are incarcerated. I had hoped to work with her at some point in time. I look forward to meeting her in heaven where we will have lots of time to get acquainted, as we not only bask in the Father’s love but rejoice with those we first met behind bars and loved with our whole hearts. There can’t be anything better than that. I am so glad I got to meet Dorie and see her heart for those who need Jesus. My thoughts and prayers are with you, her family. May Papa hold you close in His arms and give you peace. In Jesus, Dianne Sherman
Tracy and family, It sounds like your mother was a beautiful person. So sorry for your loss, praying for you and your family at this difficult time and that you find peace in all of the wonderful memories you have shared.