Barbara Dorn
Barbara Cooperrider Dorn (Mrs. George Neal Dorn), died on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at the Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester, Vermont, at the age of 91.
She was born on March 3, 1924, in Columbus, Ohio, to Luke and Lola Cooperrider, she lived the first 10 years of her life in Worthington, Ohio. In 1934, she moved with her family to Columbus. She attended North High School and Ohio State University. After two years at Ohio State, she enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944. She was a Link Instrument Trainer Instructor during World War II. In 1946, she was discharged, went back to Columbus and married Neal Dorn, who was back from his stint in the U.S. Army. They both finished college there. After college they moved to Ironton, Ohio, where he was assistant manager of the Carlyle Tile Company. Their two sons, Peter and Kevin, were born in Ironton. In 1959, they moved to Springfield, Minnesota, where Neal became plant superintendent of the Ochs Brick and Tile Company. While living in Springfield Barbara worked as an on-air/off-air reporter for KLGR Radio; director of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce; had her own show on cable TV; and was a stringer for the New Ulm Journal. She was also president of the Board of Trustees of the Springfield Public Library, and served on the Springfield Board of Education. She was a member of the Springfield Centennial Committee that headed planning and arrangements for Springfield’s Centennial Celebration in June 1981. In 1983, Neal retired and they moved to Cape Coral, Florida, where they spent, very happily, the next 24 years. In 2008 they moved to the Grand Court in Fort Myers. Neal passed away in 2009. Barbara continued living there and wrote the Newsletter (anonymously) for the residents. In 2011, Barbara moved to Allenwood Senior Community in South Burlington, Vermont, where she enjoyed playing bridge several times a week. She was a member of the Epiphany Episcopal Church of Cape Coral, Delta Gamma Sorority, and G.D. Chapter of PEO.
She is survived by her sons, Peter of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Kevin and wife Kathy Finnie of Essex Junction, Vermont; beloved granddaughters, Stephanie Turner of Charleston, S.C., and Taylor and Emily Dorn of Essex Junction, Vermont; sister, Patricia Leet of Manassas, Virginia, and many nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond. She is predeceased by her husband, Neal; and brother, Luke Cooperrider of Arizona.
Condolences can be sent to Kevin and Peter Dorn at 88 Beech Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452. Anyone who wishes can make a contribution in Barbara’s memory to the Springfield Public Library, 120 N. Cass Avenue, Springfield, MN 56087.