Dorothy S. Almen, of Batavia, passed away on August 25, 2024.

Dorothy was born on November 10, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second of Howe and Mary Smith's five children.

After graduating from Willow Grove High School in Willow Grove, PA, she earned an elementary education degree at nearby Beaver College and then taught fourth to sixth grade math and language arts for one year, which she greatly enjoyed. Because she felt called to overseas missionary service, she left teaching and enrolled in a two-year Bible course at Providence Bible Institute in Providence, Rhode Island. While there she met Everett Almen, a World War II veteran from Chicago. They were married on August 12, 1950.

In 1954 Dorothy and Everett settled near Wheaton, Illinois, where they raised their nine children. They became members of Pleasant Hill Community Church, and Dorothy served as a children's church teacher and Vacation Bible School leader for many years. Diligent at home and at church, she worked faithfully and quietly.

After the children were all in school, Dorothy found a job in the office of The Chapel of the Air radio broadcast located in Carol Stream. The family also began attending Faith Baptist Church in Winfield. In 1988 Dorothy retired, and she and Everett began serving with RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service), traveling in their small motor home to work at various Christian camps, schools, and colleges. They both enjoyed this period of their lives immensely and met many wonderful people who became cherished friends.

In 2002 Dorothy and Everett moved to The Holmstad in Batavia. After Everett passed away in 2004, Dorothy bravely faced the challenges of widowhood. She gardened, took art classes, participated in Bible studies and prayer groups, and kept in touch with her children. She was a blessing to those around her and will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15).

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Everett, by her parents, and by her three brothers, M. Howe, Gladstone, and Donald. She is survived by her sister Muriel Stanley of Hatboro, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her children: Elizabeth (Doug) Martin, Dottie (Larry) Harwood, Carol (Dwight) Taylor, John (Lorraine) Almen, Barbara (Scott) Barngrover, Glen (Wendi) Almen, Gloria (Bill) Deckard, Beverley (Kevin) Curry, and Annette (Mark) Fudge; her grandchildren: Andy Martin (Dana Sherwood), Ingrid Martin, Theodore (Anna) Harwood, Elspeth Harwood, Katie Taylor, Nathan (Erin) Taylor, Emily (Dariush) Shahryari, Jeremy Taylor, Derek Almen, Naomi (Jon) Dunn, David (Amanda) Barngrover, Michael (Helen) Barngrover, Janae Almen, Rebekah Curry, Ian Curry, Natalie (Connor) Auteberry, Charlotte Fudge (Derek Glusak); and her great-grandchildren: Thomas, Sylvia, Mary Evangeline, James, Samuel, and Rosemary Harwood; Ruby, Lucy, and Oliver Taylor; Penelope and Beatrice Dunn; Hailey, Hannah, Nathan, and Hope Barngrover; Anna and Isaac Barngrover; and Monroe and Riley Auteberry.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.