Dorothy Regina Stempniak

FULLERTON, Calif. — Dorothy Regina (Biagi) Stempniak, 80, of Fullerton, Calif., passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013.

She was born Feb. 4, 1933, and raised in Putnam County. Dorothy, the daughter of John and Margaret (Farnetti) Biagi, was the oldest of five children. Dorothy graduated from Hopkins Township High School in Granville in 1951 and graduated from nursing school at St. Francis in Peoria in 1954. It was there that she met her husband, Henry Stempniak, a physical therapist from Chicago. They were married in June 1956 and moved to Anaheim, Calif. Henry "Hank" passed away in 2005. They had four sons, Stephen (Bonnie Mose, friend of Anaheim, Calif.) of Laughlin, Nev., Stewart (Debbie) of Fullerton, Calif., and Stanley and Scott (deceased).

Dorothy’s nursing went on hold while she raised her four boys. Later, Dorothy earned her real estate license and worked for Coldwell Bankers for many years.

While her children were growing up, she was their No. 1 fan, cheering as they competed in sports. Dorothy enjoyed bus trips and traveling on cruise ships with her family.

She is survived by her two sons, Stephen and Stewart; and three grandchildren, Ryan, Jessica and Brianna. She is also survived by two sisters, Clare (Bill) Lorton of Springfield and Mary (Denny) Roling of Mendota; one brother, John (Dee) Biagi of Granville; one aunt, Rosemary Biagi of Hennepin; and many cousins, nieces and nephews from all sides of the families.

Dorothy had many friends in the Putnam County area, but none closer than her childhood friend, Frances Weiss, “Toots.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons; and one brother, Fred.

Dorothy had a beautiful spirit; she believed in always looking on the bright side of what life threw her. She was a thoughtful wife, mother, sister and friend. Dorothy had stayed in close contact with her classmates of 1951. She will be sadly missed by all.

In California, a rosary was recited on March 1 at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary. The funeral Mass/celebration of life was March 2 at St. Angela Merici Church, in Brea, Calif.

A Mass, in celebration of Dorothy’s life, will be at 10:30 a.m. May 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Granville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville.

The Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel of Granville is assisting the family with the arrangements.