Dorothy Mae Von Destinon

Dorothy Mae Von Destinon loved people. Dedicated to both her family and her country, she spent her 64 years working for the betterment of all.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. It was and still is a community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. In late September of 1942, the Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion was changed for the first and only time since its creation in 1919 -- the word "War" was changed to "Wars." Our country was now involved in the Second World War. In Detroit, Michigan, 1942 was a happier time for Dorothy's family. Dorothy Mae was born on February 21, 1942.

As time went on, Dorothy became very involved in the American Legion. It was at the Legion that she met her husband, James Von Destinon. Dorothy gladly gave a great deal of her time and her talents to American Legion V. 553, participating in many of their events and activities. A hard worker all her life, it gave Dorothy great pleasure to help others.

When not busy with the Legion, Dorothy was busy caring for her family and raising her children, Joe, Archie, and Kim. When grandchildren came along, Dorothy found a new passion. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and loved spending as much time with them as she could.

Four years ago Dorothy was diagnosed with pulmonary disease, the number three cause of death in America. After battling the disease with all she had, Dorothy passed away on March 24, 2006.

Mrs. Dorothy Mae Von Destinon (Scott), age 64, of Grand Rapids passed away March 24, 2006 after a four-year battle with pulmonary disease. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James Von Destinon. She is survived by her daughter Kim (Dave) Shelton, step-son Archie (his daughter Rachel) Von Destinon, son Joe (Rhonda) Von Destinon; grandchildren Heather Chulski, Nicholas Hendricks, Kayla Renee Von Destinon, Skylar Mae Von Destinon; sisters Bobbie (Jay) Allred, Carol Bischoff; and many friends. According to her wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 1 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, with Rev. Andrew DeBraber officiating. Please visit Dorothy's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sign the online guest book. Contributions in memory of Dorothy may be made to the American Lung Association.