Dorothy “Dotty” Walters, 99, of Monmouth passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, IL.
Dorothy “Dotty” Watts was born on August 8, 1927, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Wilbur and Anna (Mosher) Watts. Dorothy was raised in Salem, Iowa and graduated from Salem High School in 1945. She attended Iowa State University and received a degree in Institutional Management in 1949. She was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. Upon graduating from Iowa State, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked for a restaurant. She later moved to Galesburg, Illinois to work as a dietician for Knox College.
Dorothy married Donald Walters on August 19, 1951 in Salem, IA and he passed away on June 15, 2001. Together they worked on the family farm in Cameron, Illinois and raised four children, Carolyn, Linda, William and Daniel.
Dorothy had a strong Christian faith. She was an active member of Cameron Christian Church, Cameron, Illinois, where she taught Sunday School for 40 years and was also involved in various church groups and women’s circles. For the past 20 years she has been an active member of First Christian Church of Monmouth, as part of Community Missions, helping with the annual rummage sale, and always willing to provide baked goods for various functions.
Dorothy was also actively involved in numerous community organizations, including as a volunteer teacher’s aide at Warren High School, Monmouth, Illinois, helping with 4-H and church floats, participating in cancer drives and as a participant of the Farm Bureau Ladies Axillary.
Dorothy was devoted to her family and helping with the family farm. She loved cooking, gardening, and babysitting. She especially liked baking cookies, cinnamon rolls and Christmas tea rings. She was always willing to help with farm chores, haul grain and move livestock.
Dorothy is survived by one daughter, Carolyn (Doug) Abel of Santa Ana, California, two sons, William (Tammy) Walters of Cameron, Illinois and Daniel Walters of Monmouth, Illinois, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; two brothers, Norman (Clara) Watts of Nampa, Idaho and Neil (Wanda) Watts of Burlington, Iowa; nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Donald Walters, parents Wilbur and Anna (Mosher) Watts, one brother Gordon (Emma Jane) Watts, and one daughter, Linda Walters Crandall.
Funeral services will be 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 20, 2026 at the First Christian Church of Monmouth. A private family interment will take place at Silent Home Cemetery, Cameron. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2026 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the Silent Home Cemetery or First Christian Church of Monmouth and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
