Dorothy Jane "Dot" Bridenbaugh

Dorothy Jane Bridenbaugh, 93, known as “Dot” to many and “Grandma Dot” by her grandchildren, of Chillicothe, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Dot was born November 7, 1929 in Lockbourne, Franklin County, Ohio to Edward and Della (Kocher) Detty. She graduated from Southeastern High School in 1947 and was Secretary of her Senior class.

Dorothy married Marvin “Gene” Bridenbaugh on February 28, 1950 who was in the U.S. Navy at the time where he served with distinction until his honorable discharge in July 1952. He pre-deceased her on March 27, 2020.

Mrs. Bridenbaugh is survived by three children, Jeff (Vicki) Bridenbaugh and Julie (Brad) Long of Chillicothe and Jerry (Tammy) Bridenbaugh of Culleoka, TN. She is also survived by two sisters, Nancy Detillion of Chillicothe and Lois Preston of Reynoldsburg and several nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren whom she loved very much; Jeannie Bridenbaugh of Phoenix, AZ; Lindsey Berry of Chillicothe; Megan (Chad) Walker of Columbia, TN; Erica (Danny) Edwards of Estill Springs, TN; Jessica (Nick) Beck of Columbia, TN; Allison (Eric) Brown of Cadiz, KY; and Macy Long of Chillicothe. In addition to her grandchildren, Dot is survived by seven great-grandchildren.

Dot was pre-deceased by a sister and brother, Marilyn (Ronnie) Keiser of Chillicothe and James Detty of Lucasville and a special friend of many years, Kathryn Shoemaker of Chillicothe.

Dot was a dedicated member of Three Locks Bible Christian Church for 77 years. She had a special place in her heart for children and served as Vacation Bible School and Christmas Program Director for many years. She taught the 5- and 6-year-old Sunday School class for over 60 years. It was once estimated that in these roles, more than 400 children had learned about Jesus through her teaching. She also served as Church Clerk and Treasurer for several years.

Her example of what a Christian servant leader should be has been passed on to her children and grandchildren who now serve their home churches in Ohio and Tennessee.

Dot not only had a heart for service to the Lord but also to her alma mater. She worked at Higby Elementary School for over 18 years as a teacher’s aide and secretary. She retired from the Scioto Valley School District on July 1, 1995. During construction of the new Southeastern High School, Dot served as Secretary for the Historical Committee responsible for preserving the history and artifacts from the old school in Richmond Dale which opened in 1942. She also held the office of secretary for the Southeastern Early Years Reunion Committee for an unknown number of years.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to friends Ronald and Loretta Bennett, Kim Dye, Kendall Lott, and the entire Bennett family as well as Guy and Sue McCorkle for their caring, love, and kindness over the last several years. Special thanks also to the nurses and staff at National Church Residence Hospice Care and the Shaffer Rehab nurses.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Bridenbaugh, Jerry Bridenbaugh, Brad Long, Chad Walker, Danny Edwards, Nick Beck, and Eric Brown,

Visitation will be held at Ware Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, May 26, 2023. Funeral services will be conducted at Three Locks Church at 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 27, 2023, with Preacher Rick Breidenbaugh and Guy McCorkle officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery.

You may sign Dot’s guestbook online at www.warefh.com.

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