Dorothy Alice Hornback

There are places I’ll remember

All my life, though some have changed.

Some forever, not for the better;

Some have gone and some remain.

All these placed had their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall.

Some are dead and some are living.

In my life I’ve loved them all.

“In My Life”, Beatles, December 3, 1965

Dot’s love for travel is summed up by this section of In My Life by her favorite band, The Beatles. Throughout her life, she journeyed to many of the world’s greatest destinations including the Great Wall of China, the Panama Canal, Machu Pichu, African safaris, a Nigerian wedding, Rome’s Colosseum, Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, London’s Tower, Turks & Caicos’ Grace Bay Beach, and many more. She took dozens of international trips with her sisters Brookie and Gretta. Occasionally, they even let Gretta’s husband Dave come along for their adventures (though we’re not sure he ever got a word in). Road trips and beach destinations included her sister-in-law Susan and niece Debbie. She also traveled with her brother Elem and wife Betty to tradeshows and events.

She loved to sit in cafés in Paris, sipping coffee while taking in the sights and smells. Her bucket list (literally written on a bucket) included living in Italy. Dot introduced her grandkids to the world around them by taking them to destinations across the United States and the world, with their final trip to Japan in the summer of 2023.

Dot’s adventures began on February 24, 1941, in Rensselaer, Indiana. At the family farmhouse with a midwife, Jerry and Adie Clemons welcomed their eighth child, Dorothy Alice Clemons. Her mom affectionately called her Dottie. Her parents had 12 children, six girls and six boys (with only the 12th child born at a hospital).

The Clemons family moved to Knox, Indiana and Dottie started school. Her friends started calling her Dot and the name stuck. The only time anyone remembers her being called Dorothy again was when she was in trouble. Her mom would scream “Dorothy Alice Clemons” get down here! All of us know that when your mom pulls out the full name, it’s not good.

Dot’s lifelong retail career started as a high school student when she worked at Schultz Bros. Dime Store. Always the beauty, Dot was Homecoming Queen her senior year.

After graduation, Dot moved to various cities in the Midwest including the Chicago area, Des Plaines, IL, and Rochester, MN. In 1967 when she was three months pregnant, she was forced to take leave from her secretarial job. At the time, women were not allowed to work while pregnant. In October, Dot and her then-husband welcomed their son Brian Dereng. Two years later, the couple adopted Dot’s niece, Karol. Her holidays were spent with her brother Ford, wife Susan, and their children.

Dot faced many difficult situations in her life, but she was always a fighter. Her determination, hard work, and inner strength drove her to succeed. She was known as an overachiever, always going the extra mile and always all-in on a hobby or project. She built a rewarding career in retail working at various stores including Eagle Food Store where she met her husband, Ron Hornback. In the 1980s, Dot and Ron owned and operated two Ben Franklin stores, which at the time were the go-to home goods store.

After selling her shares in the business, Dot moved to Indianapolis to be closer to her family. She worked for a florist, a kitchen store, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac Store in Circle City Mall. When the Old Farmer’s Almanac went out of business and all the items needed to go, she brought home the largest roll of wrapping paper you’ve ever seen (remember the overachiever!). She gave another roll to her sister. For years, every gift was wrapped in maroon paper with golden suns.

Dot’s career then took her to White River Gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo, where she could walk the two miles to get there from her condo on the downtown canal. When a new computer system was implemented, Dot wasn’t sure she could tackle this new technology. Her doubt only lasted for a little bit and then her determination and perfectionism came out. Soon, she knew the system better than anyone. She became the expert which took her on the road to set up traveling exhibits for EventNetwork. She ran the Titanic and the Vatican exhibits at museums in Boston, Cleveland, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Mystic, Philadelphia, San Fransisco, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, and Manchester, England.

Dot could outwalk anyone. Eight miles a day was common. She completed numerous races from 5Ks to half marathons. In 1998, Dot and her sisters Brookie and Gretta set a goal to walk a 10K in all 50 state capitals and Washington, D.C. Through the American Volkssport Association, the sisters would check in at a specific spot in each capital, follow the map locating key checkpoints, and then achieve a stamp in their book when completed. On February 12, 2013, Brookie’s 70th birthday, the sisters completed their final capital in Honolulu, Hawaii.

When Dot joined the YMCA in Indianapolis, she met a new group of friends. The girlfriends enjoyed exercise classes, hikes, and coffee together. Dot volunteered at many organizations including Random Acts of Flowers, Indianapolis Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony, and Wheeler Mission. Dot loved the Beatles, learning about the Civil War, practicing Yoga, eating fresh vegetables out of the garden, and cooking vegan.

Her summers were reserved for her grandchildren, Jaisean and Kaely. They would come from California to spend four weeks with Grandma Dot. Their days were filled with adventures -- exploring museums, playing in the creeks, having hula-hoop contests, and sliding down the Indiana sand dunes. The three would take trips to Chicago and Austin to visit their cousins. They explored Niagara Falls, saw the Statue of Liberty, visited the museums in Washington D.C., rode a gondola in Venice, and traveled Japan in a bullet train. The greatest laughter came from watching the deer in Nara Park walk right up to you. After each summer, Dot created a keepsake scrapbook for Jaisean and Kaely. She also enjoyed going to California to visit them and watch their performances. She loved them deeply, and they brought her much joy.

Dot leaves behind her son Brian Dereng, daughter-in-law Osa, and grandchildren Jaisean and Kaelyan of Antioch, CA and her daughter Karol (Dereng) Caldwell and grandson Joseph Daniel Smith of Louisville, KY. She is survived by her brother Elem (Betty) of Tipton, IN, sisters Brooke of Indianapolis, Fay (Patrick) Younggreen of Michigan City, IN, and Gretta (Dave) Kelly of Plainfield, IN, and sisters-in-law Ruby Clemons of North Judson, IN and Susan Clemons of Wheat Ridge, CO. She is also survived by more than two dozen nieces and nephews and their children. Dot enjoyed close relationships with her ex-husband Ron Hornback and friends Inna, Donna, Stephanie, and Sara.

Dot is preceded in death by her parents Jerry and Adie (Bailey) Clemons, sisters Icie Shepherd and Pearl Bottorff, brothers Merdie B, Menifee, John, Carl, and Ford, and grandchildren Christopher Wayne Dereng and Dale Robert Shibley, Jr.

The family will have a private ceremony at the scattering gardens at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis where Dot used to take long walks and collect leaves with her grandkids. In memory of Dot, the family will serve food to the unhoused at Wheeler Mission and enjoy a special cup of coffee at Gallery Pastry Shop.