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Condolences:
Kathy Bland
Cheryl and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers 🙏❤️
Donnie and Kathie Cook Foster
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are ALL examples of faith and love. Lean on the Lord and each other now and in the days to come. And have peace in knowing you will see her again.
Susan Byrd Crews
Cheryl and family, I send condolences for the loss of your mother. She was a happy person. Always a delight to be around. May each of you find peace in knowing her trails are over.
Christina Russell
Rest In Peace Granny! Go dance and sing in heaven what you loved to do. I love you granny!
Dorothy Heimbach Bender Schwager
2022-07-24
Dorothy Heimbach Bender Schwager passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022. She was 95 years old, born in Sellersville, Pennsylvania to Ellen Matilda Heimbach Bender and Harry Ambrose Bender.
She graduated from Sellersville-Perkasie High School in 1944. After graduation, she went to Nursing School and received her L.P.N. License. Dorothy moved to Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Grady E. Kirkland in 1957. Dorothy worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital for 2 ½ years. Later she and her husband moved to Fernandina beach, after her husband retired from the Navy. Dorothy worked at Rayonier and retired in 1987 after 23 years of service. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 0255 in Sellersville, PA; Charter member of Price of Peace Lutheran Church in Fernandina Beach; Founder and former owner of Dottie “B” Florist.
She is survived by five children: her stepdaughter, Linda L. Vandergrift (Kermit) of Lake Wales, FL; her son, Barry C. Worthington (Linda) of Fernandina Beach, FL; Her daughter, Donna M. Arsenault (John) of Fernandina Beach, FL; her son, Thomas “Tom” S. Worthington (Janis) of Fernandina Beach, FL; and her daughter, Cheryl A. Wilks (Ronnie) of Yulee, FL. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Ellen and Harry Bender; sister, Valeria Schoellkopf; husband, Willard W. Worthington; husband, Grady E. Kirkland; and husband, Kenneth Schwager; stepdaughter, Donna G. Hambrick; granddaughter, Lisa Marie Worthington; son in law, William T. “Tildon” Hai; grandson, Jeepie Platt; great grandson, Shawn W. “Wesley” Russell; grandson, Charles F. Wilder III; grandson, Mark S. Gorday, great grandson, Nickolas R. Adkins; great grandson, David R. Gorday II; and great granddaughter, Kirsten Crews.
The family wants to express our gratitude to all of Mom’s loving caretakers, Susan, Carol and Sandra for their loving compassion and tenderness. Also, Community Hospice and Palliative Care for all of their Staff involved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
Funeral service will be held at the Burgess Chapel on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends and family beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Mrs. Schwager will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include Jeremy Austin, Ryan Austin, Kyle Austin, Mike Kwaitkowski, James Forbes, and Justin Platt.
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