Shirley Pauline Hermann-Dorothy, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 8th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be in Glasgow Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to 2097-185th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
Shirley was born January 11, 1936 at the farm near Glasgow to LeRoy and Mary Ethel (Carter) Heisel. She graduated from Stockport High School in 1953, and then went to Burlington Beauty Academy. She married Toby Hermann in 1954. They later divorced.
Shirley worked at IRC in Burlington while pursuing her dream of becoming a country music radio personality. She started her career in Wichita, Kansas. She then moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and finally to Amarillo, Texas, where she worked on Mel Tillis’ radio station. Her radio name was Jody Carter, in honor of her mother.
In the mid 1980’s, she left radio and began working at Dillard’s in Amarillo. She then moved to Jefferson City, Missouri and worked at Dillard’s for a career that spanned 19 years, receiving many recognitions as employee of the year, along with others.
Shirley moved back to Iowa in the early 2000’s. In 2011, she started dating an old school friend, Donnie Dorothy. They were married December 12, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Donnie; children, Toby (Laurie) Hermann of Iowa City, Tim (Lorrie) Hermann of Jefferson City, Missouri, Ted (Helene) Hermann of Winfield, Trudie (Ralph) Crum of Amarillo, Texas, and Tom (Michelle) Hermann of Iowa City; step-children, Dirk Dorothy of Fairfield, Peggy McDonald of Libertyville, and Brigit Kuchenbecker of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 21 step-great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and 7 step-great-great grandchildren; sisters, Bettye Davis of Wichita, Kansas, and Beverly Mason of Burlington; sister-cousin, LuEtta (Dennis) Fulton of Keosauqua; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; uncle and aunt, Lou and Marjory Wilhelm, who raised her after the death of her mother; brother, Allen “Willy” Heisel; grandson, Jace Stafford; step-son, Dennis Dorothy; along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Shirley reminds us all to make someone feel special today in your bank of memories. Online condolences may be made at www.behnerfh.com.