Dorothy Treece

Dorothy Marie (Englehart) Treece of Pewaukee, Wisconsin passed away on August 10, 2025 at the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Dorothy was born September 3, 1945 in Paulding, Ohio to Carl Sr. and Georgia (Baughman) Englehart.

Dorothy, lovingly known to many as “Lou” or “Jamsie,” had a deep love for the water. She found joy in boating, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. For many years, she and her late husband, Paul Treece, made their home on Hamilton Lake in Indiana before relocating to Auburn, IN. They later began dividing their time between Indiana and their home in Florida, until deciding to leave behind the hurricanes and storms for a quieter life in Wisconsin, where they settled in October 2025.

Dorothy was a Majorette in her high school marching band and enjoyed riding her pony, “Thunder,” and ice skating on the creek with her best friend, Challis (Osborn) Lee.

After graduating from high school, she began her career at the Payne Bank. Following the birth of her two children, she channeled her creativity into floral design, working at a flower shop in Woodburn, IN. Her passion for flowers blossomed into entrepreneurship when she took a leap of faith and opened Bridal Path Flower Shop in Payne, OH. She later continued this work in Hamilton, IN and opened Misty Occasions floral shop. She specialized arranging flowers for churches, weddings, and special events—always with an artist’s eye and a joyful heart.

Later in her career, Dorothy served as a DME (Durable Medical Equipment) Specialist at Paulding County Hospital, where she worked with dedication until her retirement.

In the past 10 years, Dorothy also found a creative outlet through writing. She authored and published a children’s book titled Did You Ever Wonder, and delighted in visiting local bookstores and elementary schools as a special guest to read her book aloud. She had begun work on a second children’s book, collaborating with illustrators and meeting with professionals to thoughtfully explore the topic of bullying and how it affects children.

Dorothy had a lifelong love for dogs, especially Yorkshire Terriers. Her beloved dog, Lacey, was trained as a therapy dog to assist her with hearing and also served as a devoted emotional support companion.

She treasured time spent with her grandchildren and found joy in simple pleasures—long golf cart rides, being near the ocean, tending to her yard, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, and striking up conversations with new people wherever she went. Dorothy was known for her fun-loving sense of humor and unforgettable laugh—both of which will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Treece (June 13, 2025), and her beloved daughter, Stephanie Kelble (June 14, 2015). She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Kelble) (Tom) Stricker, and her sons, Todd (Diana Wunder) Treece, Bret (Kelley) Treece, and Grant Treece. She was a proud and loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is also survived by her brother, Carl “Duke” Englehart Jr., her sister, Beverly (Englehart) Bacon, and her lifelong friends of over 70 years—Floyd and Challis (Osborn) Lee—whom she considered and cherished as family.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 11:00, with a viewing from 9:00 to 11:00 at Dooley Funeral Home, 5761 SR 500, Payne, Ohio.

She will be laid to rest in Lehman Cemetery, Payne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Paulding County Sheriff's Department, 500 E. Perry Street, Paulding, Ohio 45879, to support the dog kennel—a local organization that reflects Dorothy's compassion and love for all dogs.

Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com

FLOWERS AND OTHER TRIBUTES MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE PAYNE FUNERAL HOME ON FRIDAY, AUGIUST 22ND, 9 AM TO 5 PM.