Dorothy (Heibel) Chismar, born October 4th, 1941, passed away suddenly and peacefully Saturday, July 11th, at her home in Holland, Michigan.
The eldest of six children, she was raised in a loving home on a farm in New Salem, Michigan. A lifelong lover of nature, she made it a habit in her later years to never miss a sunset.
Whether she was painting coastal waves and rocky shores when she lived in Oregon in her 20’s, or was drawing sunset scenes in pastels in her mid-years, Dot was always adding splashes of color to make things zing. She loved to fill her house with “blue things” just as she liked to energize any conversation she was part of. She played the piano both in religious services and in her home with gusto. She walked fast, thought fast, and kept us all on our toes.
With her warm, affectionate, and enthusiastic personality, although she had just one son, she leaves behind many honorary children and grandchildren who will miss her cheerful and encouraging presence in their lives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Chismar; her parents, Cletus and Margie Heibel; her sister, Ruth Striegle; her brother, Linus Heibel; and her sister, Monica England.
She is survived by her son, Barry A. Hendges, of Denver, Colorado; her sister, Tarsie (Neil) Thompson, of Bel Air, Maryland; and her sister, Marian (Russ) Richardson, of Holland, Michigan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Heibel; and her brother-in-law, Jamie England.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00pm Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2854 120th Avenue, Holland, Michigan, where she was a longtime faithful and beloved member.
Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home
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