Dorothy Marie Schiffgens

Dorothy Marie (Williams) Schiffgens, 88 – dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend – passed away at her home in Ottawa, Illinois on Sunday, July 23, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Dorothy was born to Jesse and Sarah (Egan) Williams on September 25, 1934. She was born and raised in Streator, IL attending Streator High School and working at the Lipton Tea Factory. Additionally, Dorothy worked at the UAW Center in Ottawa.

Dorothy married Ralph Schiffgens on July 3, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Streator. They celebrated 68 years of marriage before the passing of her beloved husband, Ralph, last July.

Dorothy attended the wedding of her granddaughter, Leah Tabone Bane, in April. This beautiful family event allowed her the opportunity to celebrate with many of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Surviving Dorothy are their six children: Denise (Robert) Jessen Rosencrans; Mark (Cindy) Schiffgens; Mary (Joseph) Tabone; John (Fawn) Schiffgens; Karl (Denise) Schiffgens; Holly (Keith) McLaughlin Reed. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy and her late husband, Ralph, were proud grandparents of twenty: Alicia Shea, Emily Davis, William Jessen III, Natalie Kinney, Megan DeMoss, Sarah Carey, Thomas Schiffgens, Christopher Tabone, Leah Bane, Ashley Schiffgens, John Schiffgens, Joshua Schiffgens, Alyssa Schiffgens, Angela Schiffgens, Alexis Schiffgens, Joseph Schiffgens, Brianna McLaughlin, David McLaughlin, and Daniel McLaughlin.

Additionally, Dorothy has eighteen great-children… and counting!

Dorothy was a loved and respected member of the community. She was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church who spent a lifetime dedicated to her children and grandchildren. She loved and was loved by many family and friends.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her husband, Ralph Edward Schiffgens; brother Edward Williams; brother, Harold Williams; brother, Joseph Williams; brother, James Williams; sister, Lucille Phelan; sister, Margaret Gorman; granddaughter, Theresa Tabone; and son-in-law, William Chester Jessen II.

Visitation will be at Ottawa Funeral Home on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 9:00 to 11:00am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church at 11:30am. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Dorothy’s grandsons- William Jessen III, Thomas Schiffgens, Christopher Tabone, John Schiffgens, Joshua Schiffgens, David McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin, and Joseph Schiffgens.

Dorothy was greatly loved and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Francis of Assisi Church.

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