Dorothy Tyler

Dorothy Tyler was a very special lady who dedicated her life to her family. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who did everything she could to support and encourage her loved ones. Dorothy cherished them with all her heart, caring for them in times of need and celebrating with them in times of joy. 1925 found the country right in the middle of the Roaring Twenties. For those living in big cities, it was a time of flappers and speakeasies, while those living in small towns focused on working hard and raising families. Clarence and Alma (Sandwick) Buehrle lived in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois and in the spring of 1925, they were making preparations for the arrival of their first child. On April 18, 1925, the couple was overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, Dorothy Jeanette. When their son, Donald, arrived 3 years later, Clarence and Almas family was complete. Dorothy was only a couple years old when her parents moved them to Muskegon, Michigan. Her father was a toolmaker by trade, and he soon started his own business called Buehrle Engineering in Muskegon. In addition, her family also owned a dance hall and skating rink, and Dorothy loved to spend much of her leisure time enjoying these activities, as well as bowling. Being an audacious child, she learned to fly at a very young age, however, when World War II broke out, she was not permitted to continue her training since her name was German. For education, Dorothy attended McMillan Elementary School on the north side of town, and graduated from North Muskegon High in 1943. She then went on to attend Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and graduated in 1945 with a 2-year degree. Dorothy met her future husband, Kenneth James Tyler, when they were in kindergarten. They were friends all through school; however, it wasnt until he was on a furlough from the war and stopped in at Stephens College to visit her did their romance begin. The two fell hopelessly in love and on May 25, 1946, Dorothy walked down the aisle to take the hand of the love of her life, Ken, a day both of them cherished as one of the greatest in their lives. It wasnt long before Dorothy and Ken filled their hearts and home with the joy and laughter of two children: Greg born in 1947, and Janet in 1950. Each of their births added yet another incredible blessing to their lives. As a family, the Tylers loved to travel. They took many trips in their motor home, and spent a number of years vacationing on Hilton Head Island. Later, when their kids were grown, Dorothy and Ken continued their traveling adventures going whitewater rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and relaxing on a cruise around the horn of South America. Dorothy looked forward to her yearly trip to New York City with friends. At home, Dorothy enjoyed taking painting classes and dabbling in art, playing cards as well as being an active member of a bridge club, and going golfing. She even got a hole-in-one during one game. Dorothy had many friends she enjoyed sharing time with at social activities, and she was always a gracious host in her own home. She was also active in her community as a member of the Muskegon Service League, and a former member of the Muskegon and Spring Lake Country Clubs. Of all the wonderful things in Dorothys life, time spent with her family towered above the rest. She loved her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she was happy wherever she was in the world as long as she was with them. Dorothy was deeply heartbroken when her daughter, Janet, died in 1998, a loss their entire family mourned together. Dorothy died at a local nursing home in Muskegon on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at the age of 83. Although she will be greatly missed, her legacy of love and dedication leaves her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Kenneth; son, Greg (Sandy) Tyler; grandchildren: Dusty (Joyce) Tyler, Kim Tyler, Nicholas Britton, Stacey (Nate) Long; great grandchildren: Linnea Tyler, Ryan Tyler; son-in-law, Gary Britton. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Britton, and her brother, Donald Buehrle. Funeral services for Dorothy will be held on Tuesday, January 27, at 1:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with the Rev'd Thomas C. H. Scott, D. Min., Rector officiating. Interment will be at Fruitland Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Sunday, January 25, from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to the service. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to be made to Wings of Mercy. Please visit Dorothys memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign her online guest book or share a memory/thought with her family.