Dorothy Erwin passed away on Feb. 21 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford after a short illness. She was the first of seven children to Benjamin and Jewel (Holder) Ramsey. She grew up on a cotton farm in rural central Texas and graduated from Mart High School in 1937. Dorothy attended Business School and night school classes at TCU in Fort Worth, and for six years worked for an advertising agency as a copy writer and accountant. On January 22, 1943, Dorothy married Robert W. Erwin, who, at that time, was an engineer for Consolidated Aircraft which designed wings for the B-36 used during WWII. In 1946, Bob and Dorothy moved to the Erwin family farm near Poplar Grove where they raised their four children. Dorothy was involved in many community activities including a board member of the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church and Sunday School teacher; Poplar Grove School PTA; Site Selection Committee for the first North Boone H.S.; and former president of the Belvidere Women's Club. Dorothy and Bob were honored as "Best Poplar Grove Neighbors" in 1993. When her children were mostly grown Dorothy worked at Apache Foam as an office manager for 6 years. Also, she was on the board for Candlewick Lake Assoc., and worked in the Candlewick office for 5 years. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1996. She continued to live on the farm for 12 years and spent the winters back in Texas with family and friends. She left the farm in 2008 and moved to Wesley Willows.

She leaves behind one sister, Carmen McKinney; brother-in-law, Jim Kemp; and sister-in-law Merrill Ramsey. Dorothy's four children are Randall (Donna), Leland (Diane), Meredith (Brad) Townsend and Keith (Andrea Cailles). She was blessed to have 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy loved playing table games and watching the Cubs and Fighting Illini. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her sincere interest in everyone she met.

In lieu of flowers you are welcome to send memorials to the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 ( www.pancan.org )

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Monday, February 27th between the hours of 10am-12pm at Poplar Grove United Methodist Church. Located at 105 E Grove St, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. Funeral to follow at 12pm. Burial at Poplar Grove Cemetery.