Dorothea R. Cotton

Dorothea R. Cotton, age 89, of Dover, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022, in New Philadelphia’s Community Hospice Truman House following a brief illness.

Born August 21, 1932, in Dover, she was a daughter of the late Daniel and Thekla Miller Baum. Dorothea graduated from Dover High School in 1950, and was employed by Eiler’s Candy Store and the W.C. Hardesty Co., both of Dover. She married Jim R. Cotton on February 15, 1953 in Dover’s St. John’s United Church of Christ; the couple had two sons, and celebrated 69 years of marriage this year.

Jim’s job with the J.C. Penney Co., took the couple, and later, their family, to Steubenville, Buffalo and Ithaca, New York, and York, Pennsylvania. Wherever they lived, Dorothea did her very best to make a good home. She was also fortunate to be employed by Zales Jewelers in several eastern locations. She was a talented artist, and had a number of beautiful paintings to her credit. She enjoyed craftwork as well. Dorothea and Jim moved back to the Dover-New Philadelphia area in retirement - and they also returned to St. John’s.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Jim; her sons, Dan (Martha) Cotton of Sheffield Village, and Sam (Sheran) Cotton of Florahome, Florida; her grandchildren, Katherine “Katie” (Dan) Van Hise, Max Daniel (Abby) Cotton, Jenna (Corey) Cohen, and Christopher Lanier; her great-grandchildren, Lennon and Charlie Van Hise; and her niece and nephew, Dian (Randy) Collins and Kevin (Deb) Barrett.

Besides her parents, Dorothea was preceded in death by her sister, Claire Louise Barrett.

In keeping with Dorothea’s wishes, she will be cremated, and a private graveside service will be held in Dover Burial Park; Pastor Dotty Hartzell will officiate. The family suggests that contributions in her memory be made to St. John’s U.C.C. Capital Improvement Fund, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622.