Dorothy Louise Bolinger

Dorothy (Dot) Louise (Vivion) Bolinger,  age 83, became absent with the body and present with the Lord on February 17, 2015 at the California Care Center.   Dorothy was born on June 19, 1931, and only child of Norman L. Vivion and Madalyn Dearing Vivion on the family farm north of California.  She graduated from California High School and immediately married Charles Frederick (Freddie) Bolinger on May 29, 1949 at Flag Spring Baptist Church.  She is survived by her Husband Freddie, Her mother Madalyn and six daughters, Kathy Volkart, and husband Mike, of Russellville, Cheryl Knipp, and husband Jack, of Tipton, Joyce Rohrbach, and husband Norman, of California, Brenda Sells, and husband Donnie, of Prairie Home, Sara Hill, and husband Rex, of California, and Barbara Kuttenkuler, and husband Dan, of Festus.  There are 15 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her father and one grandson Robbie Knipp.
Dorothy was a loving, supportive and devoted wife to Freddie for over 65 years.  They were best friends.  She and Freddie ran a successful farming operation of several acres of row crops and pasture for livestock of all kinds.  Dorothy managed the book work as well as handled the dairy operation.  She planted gardens large enough to raise fruits and vegetables for the whole year for their family.  She was an excellent cook and baker and talented seamstress.  She made more dresses than a person could count as well as several of her daughter’s wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses.  As the girls were growing up and having children, family get togethers were very important to Dorothy.  She loved seeing the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids enjoy food, fellowship and fun together.  It was a joyous occasion having all 71 of the family together.  Dorothy’s faith was center in her life.  She and Freddie never missed a Sunday of going to church and worshipping with the family.  She was a wonderful role model of good work ethic, putting God first in your life and strong moral values.  Dorothy also enjoyed Bowling on a ladies team with her close friends.  She and Freddie liked traveling with family and friends and were lucky enough to get to do this while their health was good.  She will be remembered as a blessing and a gift to her family who loved her.  We celebrate her life here and into eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Visitation will be held on Thursday February 19th at the California Methodist Church from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held also at the church on Friday, February 20 at 10:00 am.  Burial will be at the Flag Spring Cemetery, California
In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to the Robbie Knipp Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Flag Spring Cemetery C/O Phillips Funeral Home California.  Online condolences may be left for the family at PhillipsFuneralHomeCalifornia.com

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