Dolores C. “Dee” Elmore passed away on September 22nd, 2012 in Quincy, Illinois. Dee was born January 24th, 1922, the third of seven children born to Theodore and Clara Middendorf of Quincy. She married Richard K. Elmore on June 1st, 1946, in St. Francis Catholic Church in Quincy.

Dee is survived by her five children, Barbara Grant of St. Louis, Missouri; John Elmore and his wife Ellise of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; Linda Dawson Locke and her husband W.A. of Heath, Texas; Daniel Elmore and his wife Angela of Quincy; and Jeffrey Elmore and his wife Robin of Louisiana, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Ken (Michele) Grant, Keely (Mason) Moessmer, Krista Grant, Doug (Jackie) Elmore, Matt (Michele) Dawson, Jenni (Matt) Beck, Steven (Erin) Elmore, Jordan Elmore, Brock Elmore, and Hannah Elmore; three step-grandchildren, Jason Grimail, Laura (Jason) Strauser, and William Locke; six great grand-children, Makayla, Kaelin, Raylie, Mia, Sienna, and Jack; her sister Margie Burns of Albuquerque, New Mexico, her brother Ted Middendorf (Joyce) of Overland Park, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dee was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard K. Elmore, also of Quincy, her sisters Alvera O’Brien, Betty Ehrhart, and Marilyn Nault, her brother Paul Middendorf, and sons-in-law, Randy Dawson and Kenneth Grant.

After attending grade school at Quincy’s St. Francis, Dee graduated from Notre Dame high school and then Gem City Business College. After college, she considered going to California to join the WACs but her parents urged her to stay close to home, so she took a job at Gardner Denver. A few years later, Dee and a girlfriend moved to Chicago, but she returned to Quincy for good when the handsome Richard Elmore convinced her to be his bride.

Dee lived a very rewarding life. She was blessed with abundant faith, loving family and friends, and excellent health. In addition to raising five children, Dee volunteered her time to many civic activities impacting the Quincy community. She served as a Room Mother, Scout Leader, and PTA member at St. Peters Catholic School. Dee was also an active member of St. Peters Church for 51 years, and volunteered on numerous committees.

After her children were grown, she served as Secretary to Reverend Foose, Good Samaritan Home’s long-time Administrator. Later Dee brought her warm smile and welcoming ways to Blessing Hospital, serving for years as a volunteer in the Tea Room, and most recently as an enthusiastic member of the “Emergency Room Bears” team.

Dee and Rich were former members of Spring Lake Country Club and were active in the Elks Club where Dee served on the club’s Auxiliary. Together, they enjoyed dancing and golf, and loved spending time with family and friends. Even into her final days Dee stayed very active, with weekly Bridge games, volunteer work, and time with her children and grandchildren bringing her great joy. Dee was a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, and she will forever be missed.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 9:30 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 AM in the Church of St. Peter by Msgr. Leo Enlow. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Church of St. Peter or to the American Heart Assn.