Dorothy Ann "Dottie" (Wehrli) Buhler

Dorothy Ann "Dottie" (Wehrli) Buhler, of Kalamazoo, MI, formerly of Battle Creek, MI and Augusta, MI






Dorothy, age 80, died at her home at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, MI on Saturday evening, November 30, 2013.

Dorothy, the daughter of Godfrey and Louise (Merkli) Wehrli, was born in Flint, Michigan on May 2, 1933. She grew up with five brothers and five sisters; was a 1951 graduate of Flint Northern High School and received a degree in education from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. She taught school for one year before her marriage to Fred Buhler on June 23, 1956 in Flint, MI. The couple then spent three years in the Philippine Islands, where Fred was stationed in the United States Navy, followed by 53 years living and working in the Battle Creek, Michigan area. Dorothy's priorities were her family, her faith and friends. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Battle Creek for 40 years and more recently, Yorkville Community Church, Richland for 13 years. She remained active all her life enjoying softball, racket ball, bowling and tennis. Age-related concerns prompted the couple to move to Friendship Village, Kalamazoo in 2011. Dottie died peacefully comforted by the support, concern and prayers of her family and many friends.

Dottie is survived by her husband of 57 years, Fred; her two sons, Douglas C. (Janice) Buhler of Loveland, CO and David S. (Lori) Buhler of Battle Creek; her daughter, Judy L. (Edwin) Wier of Ann Arbor, MI; six grandchildren, Dana Richardson, Amanda Hughes, Lisa Buhler, Kelley Wier, Allison Wier and Benjamin Wier and two great grandchildren, Brody Hayes and Jackson Hughes. She is also survived by three sisters, Elaine Ostrander, Nancy Geiger, and Margaret Herald, all residing in Florida and a brother, Robert Wehrli of Fenton, Ml. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Louise Owen and Selma Ratzlaff and four brothers, Eric, Richard, Fred and James Wehrli.

The Memorial Service to celebrate Dottie's life will be held on Saturday, December 14th at Noon at the Yorkville Community Church, 11523 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083, where friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the Church. Family and friends are invited to continue Dottie's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon immediately following the memorial Service in the Church's Fellowship Hall. A Graveside Service for the immediate family has already taken place in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dorothy's honor may be directed to Alzheimer's Association, 350 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 20, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel is in charge of all the arrangements.