Dolores J. Gartee

Dolores J. Gartee, 84, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the Cass County Medical Facility in Cassopolis after a lengthy illness.  A Committal Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 7, 2016 in the small chapel at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, 61453 M51, Niles, MI, with Chaplain Ellen Laan officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or to Heartland Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory of Delores online may do so at www.clarkch.com.  Delores was born December 7, 1931 in Mishawaka, IN to John J. & Martha M. (Poore) Hornung. She attended St. Monica’s Catholic School in Mishawaka, IN and graduated from Ligonier High in Indiana. In her younger years she sang with an orchestra band, performing at church and other social events. Dolores married the love of her life, Donald Gartee, on December 30, 1961. She operated a hair salon out of her home for several years and later worked as a waitress at Timberline Restaurant in Dowagiac. Dolores was a wonderful cook and enjoyed having family over to visit. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, listening to big band music and traveling with Don.   Dolores is survived by her daughter, Vickie (Vern) Herter of Eau Claire; daughter-in-law, Denna Vance of Niles; six grandchildren, Michelle (Johnnie) Hassle, John “JJ” (Janet) Vance, Jason (Kelly) Vance, Susan ( Brad) Seggerman, Eric (Shelly) Herter and Kelly (Brian) Dargus; brother, Edward (Gerry) Hornung of Akron, IN; sister, Sharon Majewski of Cassopolis. She was preceded in death by her husband Don in 2012; her sons, John Vance and Craig Vance.