Dorothy F. Newell Vail

     Dorothy Frances Newell Vail (101) passed away while visiting with family in Houston,
Texas, on March 2, 2022. Born October 29, 1920, near Ashland, Illinois, to T. Frank
Newell and Mary Ellen Newell, she married Gerald (Jerry) Vail on February 15, 1941.
She was preceded in death by her husband (Jerry), two sons (Donald and Roger), two
grandsons (Donald M. Vail, Jr. and Richard M. Vail), one granddaughter (Alicia Marie
Vail O’Brien), a brother (Alfred Newell) and a sister (Anna Mae Moore).
     Surviving family to celebrate her life includes daughters: Norene Vail Lowery, Houston,
Texas, and Gerilee Kim Vail, Macomb, Illinois. Surviving grandchildren from Don
(Leslie V. Britton), from Roger (Ginny Kroeger, Juli Moden), from Norene (Amanda
Snedeker, Mary Landis, Tom Lowery, Steve Lowery), and from Gerilee (Josh Raymer,
Chris Vail Raymer, Paul McCullough). Dorothy had thirteen grandchildren, twenty-eight
great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren. Other surviving relatives include
a sister-in-law (Elaine Montgomery), seven nieces, and six nephews.
     Dorothy graduated from Ashland High School in 1938 and graduated from Western
Illinois State Teacher’s College with a teaching certificate in 1940. She taught rural
school for a brief time, raised four children, and worked for JC Penney shortly before
joining the civil service system at Western Illinois University. She retired after over
twenty years as a payroll clerk from WIU in 1985. She then worked part-time in the
office at Wesley United Methodist Church.
     Dorothy was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, lifetime member of
United Methodist Women, the Wesley UMC Prayer Shawl Ministry, Fellowship groups,
the WIU Retirees group, the Kneedlers at the Macomb YMCA, and the Macomb
Women’s Club. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, serving in the
church, crocheting, playing the piano, playing pitch and canasta, tending her plants and
flowers, and watching birds, squirrels, and the clouds. Dorothy loved Bluegrass Gospel and country music,
especially, playing music with her family.
     Private family graveside services will take place in June at the Oakwood Cemetery,
Macomb, Illinois, with Reverend Dr. Scott Grulke officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded.
     Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church. 
     Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb is in charge of arrangements.
     You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.

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