Dorothy Marie (Medler) Stubinger

Dorothy Marie (Medler) Stubinger of Centertown, MO, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, at the California Care Center in California, Missouri. She was 92 years old. Born on November 19, 1933, in Melrose Park, Illinois, Dorothy's life was a testament to faith, family, and resilience. Dorothy was the cherished daughter of Rev. William and Amelia (Schupp) Medler. As the daughter of a Lutheran minister, Dorothy experienced life in various places across the United States. She spent her formative years riding her bike through the bustling streets of Chicago, where she developed a lifelong devotion to the Chicago Cubs. Her journey took her from the city to the tranquility of country life when her family moved to Honey Creek during her teenage years, a transition she embraced with grace and adaptability. Dorothy graduated from Burbank Senior High School in Burbank, California, in 1951. Her commitment to hard work and dedication was evident in her long and successful career at Unilever in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she worked tirelessly for 29 years before retiring in 1999. Her colleagues remember her as a diligent and kind-hearted co-worker, whose presence brightened the workplace. Dorothy's life was deeply rooted in her faith. She was an active and devoted member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in California, Missouri. Her contributions to the church community were immeasurable; she taught Mid-week classes, helped with Vacation Bible School, and dedicated her time to the Braille Room, Alter Guild, and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML). Her unwavering faith and commitment to service served as an inspiration to all who knew her. Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving parents, Rev. William and Amelia Medler; her brothers Elnathan (Elinor) Medler, Donald (Helen) Medler, and Kenneth (Mary) Medler; her sisters Elisabeth Pena, Verna (Calvin) Erhart, and Evelyn (Jr) Edwards; and her great-granddaughter Riley Elizabeth Leathers. Her legacy is carried on by her children: Peter Sommerer of Bucyrus, MO, Deborah Hauser of California, MO, Rebecca (Glen) of Houston, MO, and Jim (Sherri) Sommerer of California, MO. Dorothy was a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Teresa Lolly Sommerer, and brother-in-law Lloyd (Jane) Sommerer, who all feel blessed to have shared in her life. Funeral Services for Dorothy's will be held on April 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, located at 207 North Owen Street, California, MO 65018. The family invites all who knew and loved Dorothy to join them in honoring her life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dorothy's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where her spirit of service and devotion will continue to inspire future generations. Dorothy Marie Stubinger will be remembered as a beacon of love, faith, and resilience. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.