Dolores Jorns

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Dolores M. Jorns, nee Gray, 94, of Belleville, IL, born July 8, 1926, in St. Louis, MO, died Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, IL.

Mrs. Jorns was a longtime active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and belonged to the Ladies Sodality at the church. She received a B.S. in 1981 and an M.A. in 1982, both at SIUE. Dolores retired from Vincent Gray Alternative High School, East St. Louis, IL, after 10 years of service. Dolores spent her retirement years traveling with her husband and doing Global Volunteers work in Costa Rica, Spain, and Vietnam. She enjoyed Volksmarching and completed marches in all 50 states and several European countries. Dolores was very proud of her 11 successful children.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 49 years, Charles J. Jorns, whom she married on October 5, 1946, and who died on August 3, 1995; her parents, William and Estelle, nee Wiesel, Gray; two sisters, Mary Jane (Haig) Vartanian and Kathryn (Harvey) Ottinger; a son-in-law, David Varone; and a brother-in-law, Alfred (Rosemary) Jorns.

Surviving are her children, Mary Varone, Charles Jr. (Phyllis) Jorns, Nancy (Grant) Rostan, Christopher Jorns, Bernard (Carol) Jorns, Julia (Stephen) Carey, Teresa (Bert) Fite, Hope (John) Heslop, John (Judi) Jorns, Margaret (Joe) Finney, and William (Julie) Jorns; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia (Don) Barton; and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens, or to Forest Park Forever. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2021, and from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.

Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

 

Condolences:

19 Comments on Dolores Jorns

David Baldridge said : Guest Report Jan 16, 2022 at 3:17 PM

May you always have loving memories of you mother.

  • Olathe
  • Kansas
Chet Breitwieser said : Guest Report May 27, 2021 at 4:35 PM

I have fond memories of your engaging and inspiring mother from our families sharing in 4-H. Your mother was so passionate about education and very proud of her children. She shared and enjoyed a very full life. I hold you in my thoughts with her passing. Most sincerely, Chet

  • Belleville
  • Illinois
Global Volunteers said : Guest Report May 17, 2021 at 11:27 AM

Condolences to the family of Dolores Jorns on behalf of Global Volunteers. Dolores served on 5 service programs with us all around the globe: Costa Rica, Spain, Vietnam, Ecuador and Florida. She was a gift to children around the world and will be greatly missed.

  • St. Paul
  • MN
Debra Petersen said : Guest Report May 16, 2021 at 11:21 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Aunt Dolores was my inspiration and because of that I got my degree. I am glad I was able to tell her that years before she passed. She is now in heaven and surrounded by her loved ones. Please take peace in knowing that. May she rest in peace.

  • West Haven
  • UT
Ray Crisio said : Guest Report May 15, 2021 at 4:14 AM

Chris, Hope, and families - Sorry for your loss and my family's thoughts and prayers are with all of your brothers and sisters

  • Belleville
  • Illinois (IL)
Lori Kniepmann Jansen said : Guest Report May 14, 2021 at 10:04 PM

My deep sympathy to all of the Jorns family for the loss of your mother. She was a good friend of my mother, and Mom enjoyed being in the Bible study group which Dolores led for St. Mary's Parish.

  • Albers
  • IL
JACK OESTERLE,JR. said : Guest Report May 14, 2021 at 9:42 PM

Dear Bernard, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear Mother. She was always so nice & outgoing! I always seen her in church! "May The Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her"

  • Kirkwood
  • Missouri
michael mcclimans said : Guest Report May 14, 2021 at 10:09 AM

A amazing woman. She was always kind to my brothers and me. Always a friend to my mother, Shirley Decker McClimans.

  • Saint Louis
  • Missouri
Mark Becker said : Guest Report May 14, 2021 at 9:12 AM

Chris, so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. From a 1970 fellow classmate.

  • O'Fallon
  • MO
Dayton, Ohio said : Guest Report May 14, 2021 at 6:41 AM

Dear Hope and family of Dolores, I knew her while she devoted herself for 10 years to her students and to the staff at Vincent Gray Alternative H.S. in East St. Louis. She loved her students and all of us with amazing energy and professionalism. She helped us all to be better persons to she made our world better just through her inimitable love of life. I will miss her and am praying for her and for all of you. I am sorry for your loss and for ours. Her faith in and love of God was the foundation of her wonderful and beautiful life.

  • Saint Louis
  • MO
Terry said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 8:16 PM

Chris and family... so sorry for the loss of your mother. My prayers are for you and your family.

  • Edwardsville
  • Il
Sister Carol Lehmkuhl said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 8:04 PM

We are very sorry to learn of Dolores’s passing. I remember sharing some very special times with her at Vincent Gray alternative high school in East St. Louis. Through the years our staff lost contact with her. But our memories were happy ones. Please know that we are sad and will remember her in our prayers. We were blessed to have known her. Sister Carol and the staff from Vincent Gray alternative high school along with the staff of the Family Center in East St. Louis.

  • East St. Louis
  • Illinois
Eileen Cartwright said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 7:51 PM

Thoughts and prayers for Dolores and her family. She was a very special lady.

  • Belleville
  • Illinois
karen boeschen said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 2:51 PM

deepest sympathy to Hope your family on the loss of your Mother. I remember walking with her during a Volksmarch at the Shrine Inspirational human being!

  • belleville
  • ill
Rev. Daniel P. Kearns said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 8:19 AM

On behalf of Vincent Gray Academy I extend my condolences to the family of Dolores Jorns. I knew her as a compassionate and dedicated person who served at-risk youth. May she rest in peace.

  • East St. Louis
  • IL
Roger Hurwitz said : Guest Report May 13, 2021 at 12:22 AM

Will, I am so sorry for your loss. I know your mother must have been very comforted in her final years by your devotion and commitment to her well being.

  • Portland
  • Oregon
Mathivathani said : Guest Report May 12, 2021 at 1:34 PM

Dear Will, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My deepest condolences to you and Julie.

  • Hillsboro
  • Oregon
Vinny Barrett said : Guest Report May 12, 2021 at 9:39 AM

Dear Will, Sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother. Our thoughts are with you. Vinny Barrett (Intel)

  • Killaloe
  • Co Clare, Ireland
Rose Vartanian said : Guest Report May 11, 2021 at 9:42 PM

Always in our hearts , Never forgotten. My thoughts are with all of you.

  • Stateline
  • NV

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