Dorothy V. Irwin Wilson

Dorothy V. Irwin Wilson, age 93, of Erie, passed into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Fairview Manor after a several year struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Greenwood, PA on April 18, 1923, a daughter of the late George and Nora Uplinger Irwin. Dorothy was the ninth of ten children and was raised in the Cook Forest area. She was a 1941 graduate of Farmington High School, in Clarion County. Dorothy worked in the Fairview School District, retiring after many years of service.

She was a longtime active member of the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church and up until her illness a very active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was always active with her children’s school activities, including PTA, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel A. Wilson, whom she married on Christmas Eve in 1943; an infant son, Charles R. Wilson; a son, Dennis S. Wilson in 2011 and ; and her nine brothers and sisters.

Dorothy is survived by a son, Donald L. Wilson and his wife Ann Jane of Erie, a daughter, Deneane A. Bentum and her husband Dr. Thomas of Gales Ferry, CT; and a cousin, Forest D. Uplinger (who was raised with her family), of Erie; four grandchildren, Kristi Wilson Myers, Peter Bentum, Rebekah, Bentum Mohr and Hanna Bentum Wells. She is further survived by 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, (at Powell Avenue) on Friday Nov. 4 from 4 to 8pm and are invited to attend a service there on Saturday Nov. 5 at 11am with her son-in-law Dr. Thomas Bentum officiating. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church, 822 Delaware Avenue, Erie, PA 16505 or the Shriners Hospital of Erie 1645 West 8th Street Erie, PA 16505.