Dorothy (Schmitz) Harting, 94, of Greenfield, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2014, with her four children at her side. She was born in Indianapolis, on April 25, 1919, to John and Catherine (Gehl) Schmitz. She married Ervin E. Harting on Nov. 25, 1954.
Dorothy was a woman ahead of her time. She had a career as a medical transcriptionist that she loved when she met Ervin. Given the time period, she gave up her job to be a wife and to help Ervin on the farm they bought together in Hancock County. Dorothy, a die-hard city girl, worked hard to acclimate to farm life. She did an egg route, learned how to can and freeze food, and tolerated baby pigs' occasional forays into the house on cold winter nights when they needed to be warmed.
Dorothy loved to write. While raising four young children, she published several articles, including one in the Catholic Layman and the Family Digest. She also wrote a weekly column in the Greenfield Daily Reporter titled Perils of Parenthood. The four children she had with Ervin were the topics of her column.
When her youngest was six, Dorothy resumed her transcription career and joined Indiana Heart Associates, where she worked until she finally retired at age 87. From childhood through her early 90s, she was an avid walker, walking four miles a day regardless of weather. Other hobbies included playing the organ, a bible study group, and maintaining flower gardens on the farm.
Dorothy was devoted to her faith, and had an active membership in St. Michael's Catholic Church from the time she moved to Greenfield until her death. She also was an active community volunteer. She was a 20+ year volunteer for the American Red Cross, and she also volunteered to read with children in a local school. She was also awarded the Riley Award for Outstanding Volunteer in 1992. In the last months of her life, Dorothy received care from Hancock Regional Hospice.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, John (Lori) Harting of Greenfield, Susan (Jim) Laetsch of New Palestine, Kathy Harting of Indianapolis, and Sharon (Kirk) Boller of New Palestine; sister, Sue Biemer of Indianapolis; four grandchildren, Steve Boller, Beth Boller, Andy Laetsch, and Kevin Laetsch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Catherine Schmitz; husband, Ervin; siblings, Martina, Ceal, and John.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014, with a Rosary Service at 5:45 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Msgr. William Stumpf will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the following: Hancock Regional Hospital, Attn: Home Health & Hospice Care, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140; American Red Cross, Via Hancock County Office, 30 E. North Street, Greenfield, IN 46140, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 519 Jefferson Blvd. Greenfield, IN 46140.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
