Dorothy Bradley

Dorothy Irene Bradley (nee Donze) was born on June 5, 1929 at home when the family was living in the Graymont area. Dorothy was the sixth of eight children born to Josephine (Bally) and Peter Donze.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Joseph “Joe” Bradley; as well as her parents, Peter and Josephine; two brothers Dean (Jean) Donze and Donald (Marie) Donze, and two sisters Roberta Peterson and Lenora (Bill) Hansen.

She is survived by one sister, Eugenia (Bill) Moritz of Streator; one brother, Jim (Gale) Donze of Cornell; six children Stephen (Vicki) Bradley of Goodyear, AZ, Patricia (Rick) Spencer of Naperville, IL, Michael (Tammy) Bradley of Streator, IL, Janice (Michael) Bartos of Plymouth, MI, David (Bonnie) Bradley of Streator, IL, Todd (Bridget) Bradley of Normal, IL; seventeen  grandchildren Heather (Brian) Campbell, Justin Bradley, Amanda (Mark) Samely, Bradley (Nicolette) Spencer, Tyke (Kalah) Spencer, Chad (Rachael) Bradley, Michelle (Garrett) Mauzy, Jessica (Zach) McStoots, Erin (Ben) Kramer, Elyse Bartos, Tom (Sara) Drysdale, Taylor Bradley, Elizabeth Bradley, Sean Bradley, Molly Arseneau, Colby Arseneau, and Brody Arseneau; and thirteen great grandchildren Tyler Hively, Sean Hively, Anthony Hively, Brendon Campbell, Jordan Bradley, Noah Bradley, Emersyn Spencer, Brendan Bradley, Brittan Bradley, Brayden Bradley, Addison Mauzy, Lincoln Mauzy, Zayne McStoots, and Kolsen McStoots.; and many nieces , nephews and extended family.

She grew up in the Pontiac – Cornell areas.  Growing up, Dorothy lived on a farm and was well versed in the necessary chores.  Consequently, she developed and maintained throughout her life, a strong work ethic.  Dorothy attended local country grade schools until they closed; then moving on to Cornell Grade school where she excelled.  She enjoyed music, singing and dancing she was active in band, playing the piano, accordion and ukulele. She graduated from Cornell High School in 1947.

As a young woman, she worked as a bookkeeper for Streator Laundry & Dry Cleaners.  She met Joe Bradley on a blind date on May 28, 1950. She married Clarence (Joe) Bradley September 29th, 1951 at The Immaculate Conception Church in Streator. They lived in the Streator and Cornell areas early in marriage but settled in Streator to raise their six children.

Dorothy was active in the Streator community; serving as a volunteer Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout leader, President of the Illinois Parent Teacher Association, Plumb school PTA President, an election officer, VFW Women Auxiliary Officer, and Streator Elementary School Board #44 school board member, as well as participating in other community organizations and groups.

As her children aged, she joined the Northlawn school staff as the librarian in 1978 and worked there 18 years, retiring in June 1996.

Dorothy, will be remembered as a kind and wonderful person with a quick wit and easy smile. Some will remember her chocolate chip cookies and caramel candy which she loved making and sharing.

The service will be conducted by Pastor Anne Ferguson

Reader will be Elyse Bartos

Pallbearers will be Justin Bradley, Bradley Spencer, Tyke Spencer, Chad Bradley, Tom Drysdale, and Sean Bradley.

A visitation will be held from 11 AM – 12:30 PM Tuesday (August 7th, 2018) at the Hagi & Baker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.  Rev. Anne Ferguson of First United Methodist Church will officiate.

Burial will be at the Defenbaugh Cemetery in Ancona, IL

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Northlawn School – Dorothy Bradley Library Memorial at 202 E. First Street, Streator, IL  61364

Online condolences and remembrances may be shared and her video tribute may be seen at www.hagifuneralhome.com