Dorothy Louise (Koral) Ferringer

     Dorothy Louise “Lou” Ferringer, 96, of Knox died on October 29, 2019 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and died in her beloved home, having been cared for and nursed by her daughter Elizabeth in her last hours.

     Born in 1923 in Joliet, Illinois, she was the daughter of Thomas and Rose Koral. She attended Joliet Township (JT) High School, the first of its kind in the nation, where her favorite classes were Latin, botany, zoology, and anatomy. JT was an academic high school, vocational-technical school, and junior college complex. After graduation, she enrolled in the nursing program at JT Junior College. During WW2, the US Government was in need of chemists to work in the lab at the DuPont explosives factory in Joliet. They recruited and hired the best chemistry students from JT Junior College. Lou was one of them. She worked as a chemist during the WW2 years and beyond, supporting the war effort in the Pacific Theater.

     In 1952, she married Art Ferringer, who survives. He was the love of her life, her constant companion, and her principal caretaker. She is survived by 5 children: Rebecca Sanchez of Knox, Elizabeth Tracey of Pittsburgh, Dan Ferringer of Knox, Ted Ferringer of Knox, and Jeff Ferringer of Sligo; 9 grandchildren: Mark Ferringer of Franklin, Elizabeth Sanchez of Pittsburgh, Teddy Ferringer of Cleveland, Thomas Sanchez of Pittsburgh, Danny Ferringer of Leeper, Cassie Weaver of Clarion, Alexandria Tracey of Pittsburgh, Zac Ferringer of Sligo, and Liam Tracey of Pittsburgh. She is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, and 2 sisters, Helen Lehmann and Patti Brozman, both of Joliet, Illinois. 

     In addition to her parents, Lou was preceded in death by a son, Tom, and 7 siblings.

     Lou loved babies and children, and her greatest joy was having been a full-time caregiver to her 3 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Teddy, from birth until kindergarten. Lou loved her Victorian home and decorating for all holidays. She was an avid reader and a big fan of PBS programming, Frank Sinatra, the Steelers, and Jeopardy. She read history, especially Russian history. She lived for visits with her grandchildren and passed on her memories of Joliet, Chicago, her education, and her life during the Depression in a family with 10 children. During those visits, she often gave “book talks” about the latest novel she was reading. Bleak House by Charles Dickens was a particular favorite.

     At Lou’s request, there will no viewing and no service at this time. Interment will follow in Knox Union Cemetery.

      At a later date, the family will hold a memorial service.

      Online condolences can be made at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com. 

      In honor of Lou’s commitment to family and children, her family asks that memorial donations be made to Child Development Centers online at www.cdcenters.org/give with the Honorary/Memorial Gifts link. Memorial donations may also be mailed to Child Development Centers, Inc., 631 12th Street, Franklin, PA 16323.

     Arrangements are under the direction of the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

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