Dorothy Anabel Buchler
December 14th, 1936 - October 17th, 2024
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Dorothy Anabel's Obituary
Dorothy Ann Buchler, 88, of South Haven passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Douglas Cove in Douglas. She was born on December 14, 1936 in South Haven to the late Frederick and Irene (Hawver) Vogel.
As the daughter of a Coast Guard serviceman, the family moved often, and Dorothy Ann attended 13 different schools in various states. Despite this, she was a good student and still able to maintain excellent grades. She earned a retailing certificate from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Wayne State University.
Dorothy Ann was creative, had a flair for fashion and was a talented seamstress, even designing and making her own wedding dress. She worked at The Gown Shop in South Haven, Gilmore’s in Kalamazoo and then accepted a position with Demery’s Department store in Detroit as a copywriter and assistant advertising manager. She also worked for RN Koch Inc. as a merchandising service representative throughout Michigan and Indiana. Later she worked for Allstate and for the South Haven Memorial Library.
She held multiple beauty pageant titles and was crowned “Miss South Haven” and “Michigan Peach Queen” in 1956 and “National Peach Queen” in 1957. With the latter title, she fulfilled a year of public appearances and promotional activities representing the National Peach Council. The dress she wore as Miss South Haven is on display at the Historical Association of South Haven.
Dorothy Ann loved her Siamese cat, Wak Wak. She enjoyed golf, dressing up in the sandwich boards, walking around South Haven while promoting local businesses and visiting family members in Midland for holidays and special events.
Libraries always were a place of refuge as Dorothy grew up. The family moved regularly but libraries basically stayed the same. The South Haven Library later became like a home. Dorothy loved to perform. She became “Clifford the Big Red Dog” for the children’s programs. The library ladies were like family to her.
She is survived by her beloved sister, Vicki Lee Turner of Escondido, Calif., Aunt Doris Wenban of Midland, niece Shah Henne of Calif., and many other cherished family and friends. She was preceded by her parents, Frederick and Irene Vogel, several aunts, uncles, cousins and by good friend and helper, Sharon Forbes.
The family would like to recognize Douglas Cove Health and Rehabilitation and Douglas Cove for the compassionate care they provided for Dorothy Ann. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeffrey Poorman for his dedicated support and to Jean Overhiser for her lifelong friendship.
A celebration of Dorothy Ann’s life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the South Haven Memorial Library or the Historical Association of South Haven; www.historyofsouthhaven.org.
Kindly share your thoughts on the family’s online guestbook at www.starksfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. 639-637-0333
As the daughter of a Coast Guard serviceman, the family moved often, and Dorothy Ann attended 13 different schools in various states. Despite this, she was a good student and still able to maintain excellent grades. She earned a retailing certificate from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Wayne State University.
Dorothy Ann was creative, had a flair for fashion and was a talented seamstress, even designing and making her own wedding dress. She worked at The Gown Shop in South Haven, Gilmore’s in Kalamazoo and then accepted a position with Demery’s Department store in Detroit as a copywriter and assistant advertising manager. She also worked for RN Koch Inc. as a merchandising service representative throughout Michigan and Indiana. Later she worked for Allstate and for the South Haven Memorial Library.
She held multiple beauty pageant titles and was crowned “Miss South Haven” and “Michigan Peach Queen” in 1956 and “National Peach Queen” in 1957. With the latter title, she fulfilled a year of public appearances and promotional activities representing the National Peach Council. The dress she wore as Miss South Haven is on display at the Historical Association of South Haven.
Dorothy Ann loved her Siamese cat, Wak Wak. She enjoyed golf, dressing up in the sandwich boards, walking around South Haven while promoting local businesses and visiting family members in Midland for holidays and special events.
Libraries always were a place of refuge as Dorothy grew up. The family moved regularly but libraries basically stayed the same. The South Haven Library later became like a home. Dorothy loved to perform. She became “Clifford the Big Red Dog” for the children’s programs. The library ladies were like family to her.
She is survived by her beloved sister, Vicki Lee Turner of Escondido, Calif., Aunt Doris Wenban of Midland, niece Shah Henne of Calif., and many other cherished family and friends. She was preceded by her parents, Frederick and Irene Vogel, several aunts, uncles, cousins and by good friend and helper, Sharon Forbes.
The family would like to recognize Douglas Cove Health and Rehabilitation and Douglas Cove for the compassionate care they provided for Dorothy Ann. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeffrey Poorman for his dedicated support and to Jean Overhiser for her lifelong friendship.
A celebration of Dorothy Ann’s life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the South Haven Memorial Library or the Historical Association of South Haven; www.historyofsouthhaven.org.
Kindly share your thoughts on the family’s online guestbook at www.starksfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services. 639-637-0333
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