Ethel C. Dorner, age 100, of Grand Rapids, MI and formerly of Battle Creek, died Sunday morning, May 3, 2009, in Grand Rapids, following a brief illness. Ethel was born August 2, 1908 and was the daughter of Charles and Camilla (Banks) Beckenhauer. She attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, finished her undergraduate work at Western Michigan University and received her Masters Degree in Teaching from Western Michigan University. Ethel taught school in Germany, several states and here in Battle Creek at Brownlee Park, Pennfield and Battle Creek School System including Wilson and Fremont. She was a member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel; a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Battle Creek; the American Business Women Association; a life member of the Lt. Harold J. Payette VFW Post # 565-Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Alpha Beta Epsilon Sorority. Also, Ethel was a Life Member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapters # 153 & # 355; a member of the Amaranth and a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem # 24. On February 15, 1931 in West Point, NE, Ethel was united in marriage to Rev. Edgar A. Dorner, who preceded her in death on November 21, 1997. Surviving are her daughter: Nancy C. (John) George of Munster, IN; her son: Dr. Kenneth R. (Nancy) Dorner of Kalamazoo, MI; seven grandchildren: John (Peaches) George, James (Heidi) George, Daniel (Stacee) George, Mary (Mike) Holmi, Jeffrey Dorner, David (Stephanie) Dorner and Brian (Nancy) Dorner; 15 great-grandchildren: Brenden, John, Meg, Robyn Chris, Mackenzee, Nathan, Ben and Matt George; Cameron Holmi; Annabelle, Gabriel, Aaron, Andrew, Dean and Brooke Dorner; her brother: Paul (Ruth) Beckenhauer and her daughter in law: Bonnie Dorner-both of West Point, NE. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son: Dr. Charles R. Dorner in 1993. At the request of Ethel's family, friends may call on Thursday, May 7th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek. The funeral service to celebrate Ethel's life will be held on Friday, May 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1079 Riverside Drive, Battle Creek, with the Rev. Dr. Donald W. Herdman, Interim Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Memorial contributions in Ethel's honor may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran Church or the Humane Society-Calhoun County, 2500 Watkins Road, Battle Creek, MI, 49015 Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com


Published in the Battle Creek Enquirer on 5/6/2009