Dorothy Jean Wanninger

Dorothy Jean Wanninger, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025 at River Pointe Health Campus. Dorothy was born in Evansville on August 17, 1927, to Basil and Cora Mae (Shultz) Bender.

After graduation from Reitz High School in 1945, Dorothy married WW II Navy veteran Leo F. Wanninger of Dale, Indiana. The couple lived in Evansville, raising a family of five sons. Dorothy and Leo were married for 52 years until Leo’s death in 1999.

Dorothy retired from Mead Johnson in Evansville after over 30 years of service. After retirement, she and Leo enjoyed traveling, especially camping, and spending time with their sons and their families. Dorothy and Leo were members of St. James Catholic Church in Haubstadt for many years,

Dorothy is survived by sons, Dave (Kelly) of Evansville, IN, Kim (Karen) of Haubstadt, IN, Kent (Bettie) of Dahinda, IL, and Robert (Bridget) of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Amy Wanninger (Patrick Creyts), Lisa Anthenien (Chris), Adam Hale (Jessica), Ryan Hale (Shanda), Kerri Starnes (Sean), Bradley Wanninger, Robert Senica (Colleen), Ryan Senica (April), Heather Senica-Lane (Kevin), Kyle Wanninger, Katy Johnson (Zach), Matthew Wanninger, Patrick Lodzinski (Frank), Margeaux Jimenez (Michael), and Grant Baulch; great-grandchildren, Harper, Charlotte and Isla Anthenien, Brayden and Hunter Hale, Ethan and Emily Hale, Sterling and Griffin Johnson, Dylan Baierlein, Madison Starnes, Aiden, Ariel and Lily Senica, Ethan, Andrew and Robert (Bo) Senica, Carter, Everett, and Owen Lane, Grace, Caroline, and Jack Lodzinski, Maxwell and Mia Jimenez; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her son Stephen, grandson Ryan, sister Patricia Baker, brothers Donald Bender and Harold Basil Bender.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, Haubstadt, Indiana, with Fr. Kenneth Betz officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.

The family would like to express their gratitude to River Pointe Health Campus for the wonderful care provided to Dorothy during the past several years and to Heart to Heart Hospice for the care and compassion they provided during Dorothy’s final days.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Church in Haubstadt, IN or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.