Dorothy Herrlein

Dorothy “Dottie” Herrlein passed away on August 31, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Dottie was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on August 3, 1941, to Stanley Barbour and Rosetta “Kitty” Winn. After her father’s death, Dottie, her mother, and her stepfather relocated to Sonoma County, California, where she lived until 1969. She later relocated with her family to Iowa for a short time before settling back in Hamilton, Ohio, in 1971.

One of Dottie’s first jobs was at Montgomery Ward in Sonoma County, where she worked with store displays. She briefly relocated to Orlando, Florida, to help with the opening of a brand-new store in a mall—a major event at the time. She married Frank Thorne in 1962, the father of her four children, and stayed home to care for her family. After returning to Hamilton, Dottie worked at Piece Goods and Elder Beerman before settling into a career with the Butler County Child Support Enforcement Agency. She retired from the county after more than 25 years of service. In 1976, she married William Herrlein, who adopted her four children. William passed away in 1988. After retirement, Dottie returned to work at Hobby Lobby, where she worked at the fabric counter and managed store displays, bringing her back to one of her favorite activities: decorating.

Dottie taught PREP catechism classes for almost 20 years within the St. Julie Billiart and St. Veronica parishes.

Dottie was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Barbour; her mother, Rosetta “Kitty” Winn; her husband, William Herrlein; and her long-time partner, Bill Fisher.

She is survived by her four children: Laura (Bill) Mullen, Audrey (Derek) Lucas, Wm. Michael Herrlein, and Tracey (Jimmy) Mercer; six grandchildren, Sean and Tess Mullen, Samantha Blackwell, Adam Blackwell, Alex Blackwell, and Rose Reidel; nine great-grandchildren; and many beloved cats and dogs.

Dottie faced more than her share of challenges throughout her long life. She lost her father at a young age, went through a divorce in 1970, and raised four children with the help of her mother at a time when it was difficult for a woman to find work and support a family on her own. She was a fierce advocate for her developmentally disabled son.

After losing her husband, Dottie was fortunate enough to find love again and spent many years with the man she considered the love of her life. Sadly, she lost him too soon. Through all of these losses and setbacks, Dottie remained fiercely independent and determined. Like the Morris and Blevins women who came before her, she had a strength that carried her through difficult times and a determination to keep moving forward, no matter what life put in her path.

That strength was part of Dottie’s legacy. She was an independent, hard-working mother, woman, and co-worker who faced life’s challenges head-on, even when the road seemed insurmountable. She cared deeply, stood her ground, and kept going. She carried the strength of the women who came before her and passed that strength on to the family she leaves behind. Her family will miss her greatly and will carry her strength, her spirit, and her memory with them.

Dottie’s interment will take place at Great Miami Mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26th. Following the service will be a celebration of life and lunch at William C. Wilks Carriage House, 131 Village Street, Hamilton, OH 45011 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.