Dorothy Jean Burley

Dorothy Jean Burley, 91 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

Born in Lansing, MI on April 9, 1925, Dorothy was the daughter of Bert and Ruby (Cushman) Housel.  She grew up in St. Johns and was a 1942 graduate of St. Johns High School.

On October 8, 1944, Dorothy married Harold Burley in Lansing.  Harold, a Michigan State Police Trooper, was assigned to various posts, so in the early years of their marriage they lived in several locations.  In 1950 they moved to Livonia where they built a home and raised their family.  In 1966 Dorothy and Harold moved to Traverse City, later to Lansing and finally to Gaylord in 1975.  In retirement they spent winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In Livonia, Dorothy worked as a floral designer and as a secretary for a local judge.  In Lansing, she was the office manager at Ethan Allen and in Gaylord she worked as the office manager at Sepp Chalet Home Builders.  Wherever they lived, Dorothy was very active in church, community and, when her children were younger, their activities too.  An avid golfer, she was a past club champion at Traverse City Country Club and at Michaywe.  Dorothy loved people and was gifted with a keen sense of humor, the ability to make people laugh, to make others feel better and that “everything is going to be okay.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 1995; a son, Jim, in 2006; a son-in-law, Mike Bufe in 2012; sisters, Beth Giffey and Virginia Fairman; and a brother, Romaine Housel.

Surviving are her children, Richard (Rosetta) Burley of South Boardman and Susan Bufe of Gaylord; grandchildren, James (Amber) Burley, Scott (Misty) Burley, Joseph Burley, Patrick (Katie) Burley, David (Lyndsey) Burley and Lauren Bufe; grandchildren, Brittany, Kaylie, Taylor, Anna and Nick Burley; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Gaylord First Presbyterian Church, 513 Charles Brink Road, where visitation will begin at 12:00 noon.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Vietnam Veterans of America or Gaylord First Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com