Dorothy Howenstine

After living nearly 70 years on a farm on Homeworth Road, Knox Township, Dorothy Howenstine went peacefully to be with her Lord on Sunday, December 18, 2016.
Dorothy Mabel (Braid) Howenstine was born August 28, 1921 in Knox Twp., the daughter of the late Edward E. and Vesta (Sanor) Braid, and was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Richard Walton II, who departed this earthly life in December, 1995. Her brothers Daniel E., William "Billy", James E., and nephew Dan Braid also preceded her in death.
Surviving family members include children Judith Ann "Judy"; Alan Jay (Nancy), and their children, Jennifer (David) Mollenkopf, Rebecca (William) Ciabattari, and Amanda Howenstine (Nicole Padgett); Richard William I (Janice) of Marengo, and their children Richard William II (Jessica), Elizabeth (Dan) Ruth; Mary Catherine "Kay" (Clarence) DeTray, of Oak Harbor and their children Christopher (Heather) DeTray, Scott (Melissa) DeTray, Valerie (Derek) Buckley; Margaret Louise "Peggy" (Larry) Suhre, of Michigantown, Indiana, their sons Alexander Suhre and Andrew Suhre; Michal Marie (Bryan) Cope, and their children, William (Kristen) Cope and Laurel Cope; and Melissa Mae (Jim) Brand and sons Robert Brand and Jonathan Brand, and Jennifer (Ben) Stahl, and James (Brittany) Brand. Dorothy's large family also includes 13 great-grandchildren and 4 step-great grandchildren.
Mrs. Howenstine is also survived by sisters-in-law Rosemary Braid of Columbus, OH, and Barbara Braid of Dundee, OH. Other relatives include cousins Kathleen (Schneider) Hepner of Farmersville, OH, and Dr. George Schneider of Wabash, IN; nephews Donald Braid, John Braid and David Braid, and James Braid; nieces Debbie (Braid) Monaco, Lori (Braid) Bright, and Mary Braid. Members of Richard's descendants whom Dorothy considered dear to her include nieces Janet (Reed) Otto, Katherine Louise "Katy Lou" (Reed) Tomlinson, Karen (Orr) Hittepole, Marcia (Orr) Carpenter, Karla (Orr) Jewel, Paula (Orr) Meyer, and nephew Richard Orr. There are also numerous great nieces and nephews who cherish memories of Dorothy.
After graduating in 1938 from Fredricksburg High School in Fredricksburg, Ohio, Dorothy attended college at McPherson, Kansas, Bluffton, Ohio, and the College of Wooster in Ohio, from which she graduated in 1944. In the early years of World War II, Dorothy worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
Initially a music teacher, Dorothy later taught 3rd grade at Knox Elementary in the West Branch Local School District for a total of 22 years.
Dorothy and Richard performed regularly with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Columbiana County Symphony, the Mount Union College Orchestra (later named the Alliance Symphony Orchestra), the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, (33 years). At age 82, Dorothy retired from both the Alliance Symphony Orchestra and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dorothy was an active member of Mile Branch Grange No. 933, which she joined in 1945. She was also a member of Pomona Grange and was chosen Pomona Granger of the Year in 2005. Other memberships included the Columbiana County Farm Bureau, Alliance Music Study Club, Alliance Area Retired Teachers, and a life member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association. She also was a member of the American Federation of Musicians for more than 50 years.
Dorothy considered music a sacred privilege to be shared with all who listened. As a lifelong, dedicated, and active member of Reading Church of the Brethren, Dorothy served as pianist for over 60 years. Her talents were also used with Vacation Bible School at numerous churches, Auburn Skilled Nursing/Rehab Facility (formerly Valley Road Nursing Home), and Grange activities.
Music has been a vocation or an avocation in the lives of many of the Howenstine children, grandchildren, and potentially in the lives of succeeding generations. The love of music which was instilled in them by Dorothy and Richard is a strong thread connecting the family. It draws them to direct or sing in choirs, play in orchestras or bands, teach music, or attend a concert involving one of the family. The ties are strengthened each time this unique family sings the Doxology or Handel's "Messiah", plays Christmas carols, or Sousa Marches.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Crandall Medical Center for their dedication and attention to Dorothy's needs during the past four years.
Celebratory services in Dorothy's memory will be held at Noon, Friday, December 23, 2016 at Reading Church of the Brethren with Pastor Larry Bradley officiating. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday December 22 at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with family present from 5 to 8 p.m. grange service will be held at 4:30 Thursday. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Donations may be made in her memory to Alliance Music Study Club scholarship fund, Mile Branch Grange, Reading Church of the Brethren or the West Branch Music Department.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601. Friends may register online at www.ctcfuneral.com.