Dolores Schoonover, 74

Dolores “Dee” Mary (nee Zemencsik) Schoonover, 74, of Andover Township, died Saturday, Nov. 29, at Valley View Care Center in Newton following a short illness.

Born in Newark, her family relocated to the Randolph area when she was a small child. Years later, she graduated from Dover High School.

Dee moved to the Andover area where she resided with her husband over 56 years ago. Before starting a family, Dee worked at J.J. Newberry’s in Dover and then at Picatinny Arsenal. She then settled into the role of being a homemaker for her family.

Once her children were in high school, she returned to the workforce. She was employed by Franklin Mutual Insurance in Branchville, where she worked for over 20 years. She retired in 2005.

Dee’s greatest role was that of wife, mother and grandmother. She loved children and it was always her dream to become a teacher. Throughout her life, she dedicated her time and many talents to volunteering with organizations that promoted child development and enrichment. She proudly served for many years in numerous roles with the Andover Boy Scouts, Andover Girl Scouts, Lenni-Lenape Girl Scout Council, Andover Township Chapter of March of Dimes and most notably, as the Superintendent of the Christian Education Department at the Andover Presbyterian Church.

In 2008 she was honored by the congregation for her years of service to the young people of the church and the community when they dedicated the Christian Education building in her name. Dee was a devoted and faithful servant of Christ. She dedicated her life to God, her church, her family, her church family and the community serving in any capacity where needed. She served the Andover Presbyterian Church in every possible role, a Deacon, a Session member, Sunday school teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Financial Secretary, Sexton and the Rose Society.

Dee spent many hours volunteering and working tirelessly at the Old Schoolhouse Thrift Shop. She was best known for her boundless energy, her smile, and kind words of encouragement.

Dee was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Anna Zemencsik; her husband of 55 years, Frank Schoonover, Sr.; her brother, Timothy Zemencsik; her sister, Barbara Apgar; her half-brother, Earl Watts and her half-sister, Irene Card.

She is survived by her two sons, Frank Schoonover, Jr., of Hamburg, and Thomas Schoonover and wife, Marie, of North Carolina; two daughters, Terry-Lee VanAuken and husband, F. Michael, of Newton, and Mary-Lou Schoonover, of Newton; two sisters, Violet Keefe, of Pennsylvania, and Joy Lance, of Franklin; a brother, Kenneth Zemencsik, of Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Claire VanAuken and Trevor Hartmann, both of Newton; her step-grandson, Robert Schoonover, of Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Tranquility Cemetery on Maple Lane in Green Township followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1 p.m. at the Baleville Christian Congregational Church, 6 Church Road in Hampton Township with a time for fellowship immediately following.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton.

Memorial donations may be offered to Karen Ann Quinlan Center of Hope Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton NJ 07860; Overlook Foundation (memo: Brain Tumor Center – Dee Schoonover), PO Box 220, Summit NJ 07902; and the Christian Education Departments of the Andover Presbyterian Church, PO Box 680, Andover NJ 07821, The First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St., Newton NJ 07860 and Baleville Christian Congregational Church, 6 Church Road, Newton NJ 07860.

Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.