Dorothy Mae Signer

Dorothy Mae Signer, age 88, of rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Monday, August 29, 2011 at home surrounded by her family and nature’s wildlife. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll with Pastor Robert Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in Dorothy’s memory.
Dorothy was born on November 24, 1922, the daughter of William and Ursula (Kennedy) Cronin in Moline, Illinois. She grew up in Chicago and rural Albany, Illinois, attending country schools and Fulton High School. Dorothy married Howard W. Signer on February 24, 1941 in Kahoka, Missouri. Howard passed away on March 21, 1984.
Along with her in-laws, John and Belle Signer, they lived in Rock Falls and Fulton working together building houses and running restaurants while her husband and father in-law worked at the Wire Mill. In 1962, all the family moved to Mount Carroll and began farming and raising cattle.
Howard and Dorothy shared their love of the country life, planting trees and flowers with their two sons, William and John. She was an avid bird, tree and nature lover. Dorothy was known for sharing delicious homemade cookies and pies and was proud of having the prettiest yard and garden on Skunk Hollow Road. She loved attending sporting events and music concerts for her children and grandchildren. Dorothy also enjoyed going to sales, refinishing antique furniture and collecting dolls, baskets and photographs. Dorothy was a member of the Berreman Church of God and most of all, cherished spending time with her family.
Dorothy celebrated her Irish heritage and genealogy with an extended circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She gave abundant love and caring advice to her sons and grandchildren, along with chocolate candy and pop. She will be greatly missed by all.
Dorothy will be dearly missed by her two sons, William and Sylvia of Stockton, Illinois and John and Faye of Mount Carroll; five grandchildren, Laura (Ray) Fiore of Brentwood, Tennessee, John J. (Tami) Signer of Lanark, Illinois, Marty Signer of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Matthew and Chris of Freeport, Illinois, Monty and Tabetha of Stockton; six great grandchildren, Soliel, Riley and Johnna Signer of Lanark, Kadence and Chandra Fiore of Brentwood and Melissa Marie Signer of Freeport; one sister in-law, Eleanor Cronin of Delmar, Iowa and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard; one grandson, Jody Signer; daughter in-law, Sue Signer; a brother, William Cronin and one sister and brother in-law, Gladys and Russell Naftzger.