Dorothy Lee 'Dottie' Backus

Dorothy Lee ‘Dottie’ (Art) Backus, 86, of Delphos, passed away peacefully Monday evening, September 6, 2021, at CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born May 10, 1935, in Celina, to Clarence P. and Emma Lee (Pulskamp) Art, who both preceded her in death. On April 7, 1956, she married Gerald L. ‘Jerry’ Backus, who survives in Delphos.

Dottie is also survived by her children, Kevin (Jane) Backus of Delphos, Cheryl (Greg) Nungester of Lima, David (Sue) Backus and Diana (Mark) Wurst, both of Delphos; nine grandchildren, Kristina (Adam) Neill, Stephanie (Braden) Kriegel, Patrick Nungester, Kiley (Don) Rerko, Brian Backus, Jenna (Ryan) Musser, Justin (Allison) Backus, Alaina Backus and Jared Wurst; nine great-grandchildren, Avery, Adelynn and Amelia Kriegel, Tyler and Kennedy Neill, Grady and Joelle Rerko, Reese Backus and Ensley Musser. She is also survived by six siblings, Rosie (Jerry) Amato, Bernie (Jocie) Art, Patricia Hoyng, Cathy (Chuck) Gorsuch, Georgie (Bill) Nungester and Ken Art; one sister-in-law, Janet Donahue; and one brother-in-law, Kenneth Williams. She also had many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, James Hoyng, James Donahue and Stan (Jan) Backus; and a sister-in-law, Louise Williams

Dottie was a 1954 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, Celina. She met the love of her life, Jerry, 70 years ago at St. John's Church. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. She retired as a secretary from Vanamatic, where she had worked for 30 plus years. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and was devoted to her faith. She was also a member of the Catholic Ladies of Columbia Council 40, and the VFW Auxiliary. She was a volunteer at the Interfaith Thrift Store, and also volunteered for many years as a leader at Wednesday Night Bingo. She was a life-long Ohio State fan. Dottie was an avid reader. She made wonderful memories with her family at Rose Lake in Michigan, and enjoyed cooking for the family during the holidays. Nothing was more important to her than her family. Dottie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

A Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Rev. Tony Vera officiating.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Weber Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth St., Delphos, where a Parish Wake Service will be held at 8:00 p.m.  Visitation will also be from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Parish Foundation.  Online condolences may be shared at www.weberfh.net.