Dorothy Rosalie Gettle

Dorothy Rosalie Gettle, 84, of Nelsonville, passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Kimes Nursing & Rehabilitation, Athens. She was born July 30, 1939, in Nelsonville, the daughter of the late Charles Henry Gettle and Bernice Rosalie (Hopstetter) Gettle.

Dorothy was a graduate of Nelsonville High School Class of 1957. She retired from Ohio University, Office of the Registrar as an Administrative Assistant with 41 years of service, on June 30, 1998. After retirement, she was employed at Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home and the Nelsonville Area Chamber of Commerce – Tourism Center in the Rocky Outdoor Gear Store. She was elected Nelsonville City Treasurer in 2009 and was a volunteer at the Nelsonville Police Department. A member of the Nelsonville First United Methodist Church where she served as President of the United Methodist Women, Sunday School Teacher – Junior High Class, and Membership Secretary. She served as Treasurer of the Nelsonville Service Organization (formally Business and Professional Women), Past President of the Nelsonville Alumni Association, Past President of the Stuart Opera House Guild, past member of the Nelsonville Rotary Club where she served as secretary, and trustee and co-founder of the Nelsonville High School Restoration Foundation Inc to restore the former High School. The buildings were sold January 14, 2016, to the Woda Company who developed them into senior apartments and offices, to be called Nelsonville School Commons. Money from the sale established a scholarship with the NHS Alumni Association and the balance was invested with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio for Nelsonville. Dorothy also was a member of the Appalachian Regional Commission Steering Committee (Team Nelsonville) and served on the Nelsonville Planning Commission. She was awarded the Outstanding Community Service in May 2001, the Roland Pierce Citizenship Award in 2004 and 2016 presented by the VFW Post 3467, and the award for Outstanding Athens County Women by the Women’s Herstory Celebration in 2005. Doctor’s Hospital (formally Mt. St. Mary’s) Founder’s Day Committee 2005, received the Nelsonville Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year 2005, the R. Victor Oakley Community Award in 2010 given by the Nelsonville Chamber of Commerce, the Little Cities of Black Diamonds 2013 Spirit Award in recognition for outstanding voluntary support, the Nelsonville Area Chamber 2014 Presidential Award for outstanding service, Nelsonville Rotary Honorary Membership Award 2015, and she was a member of the Avalon Animal Rescue Group.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; aunts and uncles, Sally (Whitmore) and Richard Hopstetter, Frances (Gettle) Kesterson, John W. Kesterson; cousin, Richard Alan Anders, killed in Vietnam; and special friend and neighbor, Bertha Woodson.

Dorothy is survived by her cousins, William (Rhea) Hopstetter, David (Annette) Hopstetter, Natalie (Michael) Wozniak, Kay Gabriel, Stephen Hopstetter, George (April Eisman) Hopstetter, Dale Hopstetter, and Joseph Hopstetter. To Dorothy’s many wonderful friends, who made her life richer in just being there when needed, she wanted to thank you and say God bless you. And the love of her life, her pets, Dexter and the late Annie, Brandie, Snowie, Shelby, and all of her other wonderful pets that have gone before and were waiting for Dorothy.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nelsonville, with Pastor David Roach officiating. Family and friends may visit from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Souers-Cardaras Funeral Home, 46 Fayette St., Nelsonville.

Dorothy’s wishes were for donations to be made to the Athens County Dog Shelter, the Avalon Animal Rescue, or the Nelsonville Community Foundation care of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com