Dortha E. Schaefer, 92, of Payne, willingly accepted death when she passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23.
She was born Nov. 21, 1920 in Payne, the daughter of John and Vivian (Outland) Bonner. On Feb. 3, 1940, she married Roy Schaefer, who survives. Dortha was a substitute mail carrier for 17 years and a rural newspaper carrier for 16 years. From 1970 to 2012, Dortha entertained us in her Paulding Progress column “The Spice Rack.”
Dortha was an active member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society; served as secretary of Paulding County Red Cross and the Payne Chamber of Commerce. After serving on the Bicentennial Committee of 1976, she worked to establish the John Paulding Historical Society. Dortha also was a member of the Visiting Nurses Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ohio State Historical Society, First Families of Paulding County, Friends of the Library, editor of the Ohio Contester Association for 10 years, Ohio Press for Woman, Dallas Lamb Foundation Auxiliary and PARC Lane School Board when the school was established.
Her hobby since 1957 was entering prize contests, winning many prizes for her family. She made many friends along the way, including Evelyn Ryan, mother of Terry Ryan, the author of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Dortha helped start the contest club The Affadaisies, which became part of the movie based on the book.
