Dorothy Medlen

Funeral services for Dorothy M. Medlen, 86, Lawrence, KS will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday,  December 8, 2010 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.  Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.  She died on Saturday, December 04, 2010 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born on March 5, 1924 in Grenola, KS, the daughter of Abraham and Nina Mae Stiles Swisher.  She had lived in Lawrence since 1965, after moving here from Topeka, KS.

Dorothy was a graduate from Beauty College in Wichita, KS.

She was a hair dresser and had formerly owned the Vanity Beauty Shop in Lawrence for many years.  She also worked as the hairdresser for Warren-McElwain Mortuary from 1968 until 2002.

She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and the V.F. W. Auxiliary of Lawrence and the American Legion Auxiliary of Howard, KS.  She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was married to Ralph F. “Rowdy” Jones.  He preceded her in death on September 5, 1970.  She later married William A. “Bill” Medlen on January 15, 1972 in DeSoto, KS.  He preceded her in death on July 1, 2008.

Survivors include a daughter, Zoe Ann Kennedy and husband Dennis, of Lawrence, KS, two stepdaughters; Roxanne Medlen and husband Matt, of Pine, CO, Nancy Medlen and husband John of Austin, TX, a step-daughter-in-law, Cheryl Medlen, of Lawrence, four brothers: Duke Swisher, of Knob Noster, MO, Abraham Swisher, of Albuquerque, NM, Joe Swisher, of Wichita, KS and John Swisher, of Wichita, KS, seven grandchildren: Raegan Morton, Cameo Kennedy, Bill Medlen, Chris Medlen, Stacy Medlen, Marley Fay and Jake Fay and three, great grandchildren, Kaylee Ogden, Brecken Morton, and Daylen Medlen.  A step-son, Michael Medlen, preceded her in death.

The family suggests memorials in her name to the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the mortuary.