Dottie Lou Hess Kropog

May 16, 1940 – August 1, 2025 In the warm embrace of family, Dottie Lou Hess Kropog peacefully departed this world on August 1, 2025, in Hospice Care at Advent Health Hospital in Deland, Florida. Born at home in Worthington, West Virginia, on May 16, 1940, Dottie was the beloved daughter of Albert Ray and Ethel Goldie Furbee Hess. She carried the values and strength of her upbringing throughout her life, leaving an indelible mark on her community and family, who cherished her deeply. Dottie's life was a tapestry of love, strength, and resilience. She was preceded in death by her devoted parents, nine siblings, her beloved husband James Stephen Kropog Sr., and her cherished sons, Alan Keith Kropog and Michael Ray Kropog. Despite these immense losses, Dottie's spirit remained unyielding, a beacon of support and love for her surviving family: her eldest son, James Stephen Kropog Jr. of LaGrange, Ohio, her daughter Tracy Gilfedder of Lake Mary, Florida, and a large extended family including 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with the anticipation of one more great-grandchild on the way. Dottie's journey of love began when she eloped with Jim Kropog on January 2, 1959, in Oakland, Maryland. Their union, blessed in the eyes of the Catholic faith at Saint Peter's Catholic Church on January 12, 1960, marked the beginning of a lifetime together. For 49 years, Dottie and Jim shared a partnership rich in love, laughter, and mutual respect, raising their four children and actively participating in their Cleveland community, their parish, and the Berea Elks Lodge. A lifelong learner, Dottie attended Thoburn Elementary and Monongah High School, later earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Sawyer College in 1983. She balanced her roles as a dedicated homemaker and a supportive mother with grace, later transitioning her talents into a career as a florist and small business owner. Her floral designs brought beauty to many weddings and funerals in the Cleveland area, a testament to her creative spirit. Dottie's faith was a cornerstone of her life. A lifelong Christian, she cherished her beautifully illustrated Catholic Bible, which bore witness to her family's milestones. Her deep understanding of scripture and devotion to Bible study groups in both Ohio and Florida enriched her faith and those around her. Her love for life extended beyond her family and faith. Dottie had a passion for dancing with Jim, a love for history and politics, and an enthusiasm for genealogy, tracing her roots back to the esteemed Patrick Henry. In her later years, she found joy in ceramics, oil painting, and spending time with her family, always eager to know the latest happenings in their lives. Dottie was known for her laughing grey eyes and infectious wit. Her fiestiness and unwavering support made her the rock of her family, offering advice and a comforting hug whenever needed. Her vibrant personality and zest for life left a lasting impression on everyone she met. A funeral service to honor and celebrate Dottie's extraordinary life will be held on May 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the West Virginia National Cemetery, 42 Veterans Memorial Lane, Grafton, West Virginia. Following the service, family and friends are invited to join in a reception at 5204 Arden Grade Rd, Moatsville, WV, to share memories and celebrate the beautiful life and adventures of Dottie Kropog. In remembrance of Dottie, let us carry forward her legacy of love, kindness, and resilience, cherishing the memories and the light she brought into our lives.