Dorothy Anna Gall

On November 28, 2022 4:48pm, Dorothy Anna (Hummer) Gall left this earth for Heaven’s choir. Dorothy was born on September 3, 1932 at home in Jay County, Indiana on a farm near Pennville to her parents Eulia Naomi (Winget) Hummer and Edgar A. Hummer. She was a sister to two brothers, Wendell and Winfred Hummer, both who died in childhood, as well as two sisters who preceded her in death, Agnes. Delite Townsend, and Naomi Maxine McIlwaine, and is survived by one sister; Geneva. Yetive Williams. Family and friends called the 4 sisters the Hummer Girls. Dorothy married Arthur Gall (deceased in 2004) in 1955 and they had 3 children, all of whom survive; son, Steven Gall (Elkhart IN), and daughters, Cindy Hawkins (New Paris IN) and Amy Gall Ritchie (North Manchester IN). Her grandchildren Joel (Bethany) Hawkins (Middlebury IN), Angela (Jeremiah) Hunley (New Paris IN), Turner Ritchie (Fort Wayne IN), Bennett Ritchie (Richmond IN), Katy Hawkins (Davenport IA), Carver DeWitt-Gall (Syracuse IN). Great grandchildren are Evolette Hawkins, Alexis Hunley, Eila Hawkins, Kalev Hawkins.

As a little girl, her job on the family farm was to ride the broad backed work horse to go fetch the Shorthorn cows and bring them to the barn. She was an early reader, and piano student. She taught her sister Maxine to play the piano after every lesson. Dorothy grew up to play piano and organ in church her whole life, and was a reading specialist to students and adults learning to read. She sang in the Kosciusko County Extension Chorus and Goshen College Community Choirs, toured Europe with Sounds of Hope, and sang with many other chorale groups.

She attended Manchester College (University) and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education, and then earned her masters from St Francis College. While in college, she was asked to serve the Church of the Brethren twice; once driving the Eastern Seaboard to promote young adult activities. The second time she solo trekked for 10,000 miles in a Model A Coup to register young adults for the very first National Youth Conference. She was roommates with Irma Gall and Jean Childs Young, who remained not only lifelong friends, but a sister-in-law as well.

Dorothy taught nearly all of her career at Milford Elementary School, with kindergarteners and then 2 ^nd graders. She loved to teach. She loved every child that came through her classroom. Some of her closest friends were fellow teachers, often enjoying after school golf, cross-country skiing, tennis. She held the position of president for the local chapter of NEA, and was a member of Alpha Nu Sorority and Retired Teachers Association.

The Church of the Brethren has been central to her faith formation in God and peacemaking and in shaping her life from the very beginning. Her family attended the Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren and upon marriage she became a member at Bethany Church of the Brethren where she was a Sunday school teacher, Board Chair, camp counselor at Camp Mack, VBS director/teacher, choir director, organist/pianist, active at all levels, comfortable in leadership or in service. She also served the Northern Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren, and the General Board of the Church of the Brethren. She was a smart, compassionate leader and visionary. She embodied the core values of the church for another way of living, following the way of Jesus; peacefully, simply, together.

She was able to spend her final years in her home on the farm, cared for by daughter Cindy, her children, granddaughter and great granddaughter. It was a privilege to do so.

Services will be on Wednesday December 7, 2022 with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service starting at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany Community Church (formerly Bethany Church of the Brethren), New Paris. Jim Vandermark and Tim Morphew will co-officiate.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Camp Mack, P.O. Box 158, Milford, Indiana 46542, designated for tree planting; https://www.campmack.org/ .

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.