Dorothy Geraldine (Lynch) Heiffus

   Please Note: Updated Service Information for Dorothy

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                    Remembering Dorothy Lynch - Heiffus                                                              

                                             November 13, 1921 – January 10, 2021

 

Dorothy Geraldine Lynch - Heiffus was born in rural Redding, Iowa, and was the daughter of  J.O. Lynch and Ramona Smith - Lynch. Dorothy grew up in Des Moines, but often visited family in Grant City. She enjoyed much time spent at The Grant City Livestock Auction owned by J.O. and Gladys Lynch. She attended college, for a time, at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.

 

Just before World War II, Dorothy headed to Los Angeles, California with several of her girlfriends from Des Moines. The troupe became part of the “greatest generation” serving the war effort as “Rosie the Riveter” girls. Dorothy’s dream of becoming a Hollywood torch singer was then put permanently on hold. However, one night at a piano bar her destiny unfolded as she met her husband Benjamin Heiffus.

 

Dorothy and Bennie enjoyed an exciting California life during the 1940’s and 50’s, traveling, gaming, singing, and dancing. They had many friendships. Dorothy sang at piano bars and waited tables during the daytime. The biggest milestone was the birth of their only son, Stephen. Determined to make him a gentleman, Dorothy provided ballroom dance lessons, horseback riding lessons with Colonel Douglas Murat’s Rangers at the Pickwick Riding School, and music lessons. Dorothy provided these many privileges through her lifelong career as a waitress. Stephen returned to Grant City to attend high school.

 

During her time as a waitress in old Hollywood she met many celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Jack Bennie, Danny Thomas and others. After the death of her husband, Bennie, in the early 60’s, Dorothy moved to Palm Springs, California. Her mother Ramona spent many years with her there. Upon retirement she returned to Grant City to live.

 

Dorothy became involved in delivering Meals on Wheels, The Senior Center, and caring for animals. She loved cats and adopted and fed as many as possible. She had a lifelong love of animals, including membership in the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Dorothy had good friends in Grant City and considered it her true home. She was always grateful for the kindness of Worth County people.

 

Dorothy’s favorite events included the Worth County Fair, the big band concert hosted by the Andrews family, and 4th of July at Allendale, and Saturday night dinners at the old Bar-X in Denver, Missouri. Dorothy was known for her great cooking – pies especially – love of an evening cocktail – good music, and gatherings.  She spent much time with her late step-sister Joanne Young. On Dorothy’s 90th birthday a celebration was held in Mount Ayre, Iowa.

 

In recent years, Dorothy was a resident at The Pineview Manor in Stanberry, Missouri. The family of Dorothy Heiffus wishes to thank all of the staff at Pineview for making Dorothy “their own” and for their kind, generous care.

 

Dorothy leaves behind her son Stephen, a granddaughter Stephanie, great- grandson’s Henry and Ellis, and two great great granddaughters Charlotte and Genevieve.

 

You are invited to a CELEBRATION of LIFE for Dorothy Heiffus on Saturday May 29. A grave side memorial will be at 11:00 at The Redding Cemetery followed by a Celebration Open House/Luncheon at The Historic Shakespeare Chateau, 809 Hall Street in St. Joseph Missouri from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Due to Covid-19  restrictions we will have limited seating  for the luncheon. Please RSVP no later than May 21st to Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home via website or phone 660-564-3388. Please leave your name and number of people in your party attending. 

DIRECTIONS FROM KANSAS CITY, MO TO REDDING CEMETERY IN REDDING, IOWA

Take I-35 to Exit 12 – Leon/Mt. Ayr, IA west approximately 22 miles.

From Mt. Ayr, Iowa

Please Note:  On Highway 2 at Mt. Ayr  there is a detour for Highway 169 as a bridge is being replaced. The detour will be at the road by the Cemetery ( it is on south side of road  in Mt. Ayr. (Take Detour back to Highway 169 which will take you to Redding. you will be headed south at Redding

On Cemetery Street (first road on left past GoodYear/Kelly Tire & Exhaust Station) 

Cemetery is approximately 1 mile on north side of road.

             DIRECTIONS TO SHAKESPEARE CHATEAU

                 FROM DOROTHY HEIFFUS CEREMONY

                  809 HALL STREET St. Joseph MO. 64501

 

FROM CEMETERY go south on 169 to GRANT CITY

 

Go west on HWY 46 thru Grant city

 

               Stay on 46 HWY to Ravenwood

 

AT Ravenwood 46 turns into 136 – Proceed West to Maryville

 

At Maryville:

        3) Take US-71 S.

            Then 29.98 miles

       4) Keep right to take I-229 S toward Downtown St Joseph.

             Then 8.60 miles

       5) Take the Felix St exit, EXIT 6A, on the left toward Central Business Dist.

            Then 0.21 miles

       6)  Turn slight left onto Felix St.

           Then 0.27 miles

      7)  Turn left onto N 6th St.

N 6th St is just past N 5th St
If you reach N 7th St you've gone a little too far

             Then 0.40 miles

       8)  Turn right onto Hall St.

Hall St is just past E Louis St
If you reach E Michel St you've gone a little too far

Then 0.14 miles

· 

809 Hall St, Saint Joseph, MO 64501-1658, 809 HALL ST is on the left.

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