Obituary for Dorothy “Dee” Scholtz Mrs. Dorothy “Dee” (Coffman) Scholtz, age 98, of Grand Haven passed away Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Grand Pines Assisted Living. Dee was born November 18, 1919 in Dallas City, IL and was the youngest of three children of George A. and Ina Ester (Byers) Coffman. She was preceded in death by her sister, Vonnie Donnelly and brother, Anson Coffman.
Dee was raised on a hog farm near the banks of the Mississippi River and at an early age fell in love with the piano which would shape her life. She played the piano in high school, college and with several professional bands. After graduating from Western Illinois University with a teaching degree, Dee taught in a rural one-room school house.
A year later she joined the Betty McGuire band in Chicago and played throughout the Midwest. In 1945 she joined the Joy Cayler all girl band of Denver, CO playing from coast to coast as well as a stint with USO during WWII at Army and Navy bases in the states, the Philippines, Japan and other islands. After the war Dee joined the Dolores Klukoski String Ensemble playing in hotels throughout the Midwest including Chicago, NY City, Grand Rapids and Grand Haven.
While playing at the Schuler Hotel in Grand Haven (now Kirby Grill), she met her husband of 23 years, Wilbert (Wilb) Scholtz while on a tour of the Story & Clark Piano Factory. Dee and Wilb married in December of 1950. He preceded her in death in 1973 at the age of 62.
Dee taught 2nd and 6th grades at Holmes Elementary in Spring Lake, typing and shorthand at Spring Lake High School and later became secretary to the Spring Lake Superintendent, working for Ted Rycenga, Jim Huggins and others. Dee loved the Spring Lake and Grand Haven area volunteering at NOCH, First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven and walking her little dogs in Duncan Woods and the cemetery. Her love of music and the piano never wavered playing daily, mostly from memory up until a few years ago.
Survivors include her sons, Will (Kathy) of Spring Lake, and John (April) of Grand Haven, daughter, Sarah (Steve) Goodnight of Mokena, IL; six grandchildren: Drew (Carly) of Spring Lake, Megan (John) Mosholder of E. Lansing, Lauren (Gary) Naughton of Lockport, IL, Carrie Marrone of Lockport, IL, Sophie and Elinor of Grand Haven, and nine great-grandchildren: Ainsley, Alice, Ina, Paige, Emma, Miles, Jace, Bea and Kent. Dee was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Hock Scholtz, Larry Gardner, and James Donnelly and sisters-in-law, Mary Gardner, Grace Scholtz and Evelyn Coffman. A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Friday, November 23, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev.
Troy Hauser Brydon officiating. Memorial contributions in memory of Dee may be given to the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. P.O. Box 314, West Olive, MI 49460.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www. sytsemafh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dorothy “Dee” Scholtz please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Memorial Service , NOV 23. 1:00 PM First Presbyterian Church – Grand Haven, MI 508 Franklin Ave. Grand Haven, MI, US Order Flowers for the Memorial Service Guaranteed delivery before Dorothy’s Memorial Service begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
