Dorothy J. (Smith) Champion

Dorothy J. Champion, age 82, of 46 Park Avenue, Shelby, died Tuesday morning, July 30, 1996, in Med Central-Mansfield Hospital. She was born November 13, 1913 in Richland County, Ohio the daughter of William and Mary (Hummel) Smith.

Mrs. Champion and her husband owned and operated Champion’s Restaurant in Shelby for many years. She later owned and operated the Shelby Credit Bureau and attended Mansfield Business College.

She was a member of the First Christian Church where she was active in the Womens Fellowship and helped with vacation bible school.

Mrs. Champion was a very active volunteer, having served the American Red Cross and the Bloodmobile for over 30 years, the Shelby Memorial Hospital as a Gray Lady for over 30 years, the Salvation Army, the Shelby Ministerial Association Christmas Program, F.I.S.H., and A.A.R.P. In recognition of her dedicated service to the Shelby community, she was awarded the Jess Rath Christian Volunteer Service Award in 1991. She was also recognized by the Shelby Rotary Club in 1992 as the club’s Senior Citizen Of The Year.

Mrs. Champion is survived by 1 daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Jason “Jake” Housholder of Shelby; 1 granddaughter and her husband, Cheryl and Robert Smith of Shelby; 1 sister, Helen Kinsell of Shelby; a sister-in-law, Bernice Smith of Shelby; a niece and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Champion in May of 1966 and by 2 brothers, Burch Smith in 1975 and William Smith in 1981.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Turner Funeral Home in Shelby, and also one hour prior to the funeral service which will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with her pastor Rev. Craig Jones, officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby.