Dorothy G. Thoele, 88, of Teutopolis, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening at the church in Teutopolis with a 4:30 p.m. CCW rosary and a 7:00 p.m. parish wake service. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Bauer Funeral Home in Teutopolis is assisting the family with arrangements. www.bauerfh.com.

Dorothy was born April 15, 1924 in Effingham, the daughter of John and Mary (Wernsing) Hewing. She married Ermand F. Thoele on November 14, 1946 and he preceded her in death in 2010. Dorothy was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, Teutopolis Council of Catholic Women and the Catholic Daughters of America. Dorothy was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She worked beside her beloved husband Ermand on the farm, enjoyed putting out a large garden and canning the produce from it. Dorothy also worked a number of years as a cook at the Teutopolis High School. She was one of the original members of the 500 Card Club for sixty years. Dorothy and Ermand shared a passion for camping and playing cards. Many celebrations with family and friends were held at the "Thoele Family Pond". Dorothy enjoyed playing Yahtzee, Rummy and Bingo with friends and family at Evergreen Nursing Home.

Dorothy is survived by three sons, Michael (Kathy) of Teutopolis, Jerry (Connie) and Donny (Beverly), both of Effingham; five daughters, Sharon (Bob) Lee of Teutopolis, Janice (Tom) Koester of Teutopolis, Marlene Lange (Jeff Matheny) of Effingham, Patty (Eric) Ruholl and Jane (Greg) Schumacher of Teutopolis; thirty two grandchildren, forty seven great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren also survive.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ermand; two daughters, Carol Thoele and infant, Theresa; two brothers, Ben H. Hewing and John H. "Jim" Hewing; five sisters, Gertrude Harner, Josephine Carroll, Madeline Phelps, Ruth Hewing and Mary Stephens.