Dorothy Esther Farner

Dorothy E. Farner, 96, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, in the presence of close and dear family. She was born on May 16, 1928, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Herman August “Gus” and Sena (Johnson) Meyer. Dorothy is preceded in death by her first husband, Duane Traver, her son David Traver, as well as her parents, her sister Anna Boswell, her brother Seebo Meyer, and her sister Deloris Shoemaker.

Dorothy married Duane Traver on January 25, 1947, and settled into farming life near Eden and, later, Rutland. After experiencing debilitating arthritis in her 20s, Dorothy pursued figurine painting as part of her therapy. From this hobby grew the “Dorothy’s Figurines” stores, which Duane and Dorothy operated for many years in Rutland and Chillicothe. In 1988, upon retiring from farming and the shops, Dorothy and Duane traveled the country in their RV, fished and flea-marketed extensively, and wintered for many years in Apache Junction, Arizona.

When Duane died, Dorothy found companionship and love with Dr. Robert L. Farner, of Toluca, whose loving wife Kay passed away close to the same time that Duane had passed. The two couples had been friends for many years. “Doc” and Dorothy were married on April 6, 2002 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Toluca, and for many years continued the activities of flea-marketing and wintering in Apache Junction and at Doc’s winter abode in Engelwood, Florida.

Dorothy loved social and family get-togethers and was an excellent hostess and a great storyteller. Through her travels, she made friends all across the country. She truly never met a stranger. Her warmth and lively demeanor left an impression on many lives.

Dorothy is survived by her second husband Doc, her son Michael Traver (St. Petersburg, Florida), her daughter-in-law Heide Fehr (Holmen, Wisconsin), her son Tim (Jane) Traver (Indio, California), as well as stepchildren Dr. Robert Farner (Liberty Lake, Washington), David (Wendy) Farner (Houston, Texas), and Charlie (Colette) Farner (Bloomington). Dorothy is also survived by nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a great many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy’s family expresses their gratitude to caregivers Janice Baumgardner (niece), Lisa Suydam (niece), Amy Craven (granddaughter), Mary-Pat at OSF Home Healthcare, and to the staff at Heartis Village and the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Dorothy’s family also extend a very special thanks to the many other “close-by” family members who have attended to and dedicated many hours and days to Dorothy’s and Doc’s needs in recent years.

Graveside services and a celebration of life are scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial in Dorothy’s honor be made to OSF Home Health or to Alzheimer’s Association.