Dolores Irene Hiwiller

On June 13, 2022, Dolores Irene Hiwiller passed away at QLS Sugarcreek, Armstrong County. She was born on April 28, 1931. Dolores was the daughter of the late Joseph Kenneth McElroy and Florence Kamerer McElroy. 

Dolores was born in “Frogtown” and lived most of her life in Sugarcreek Township. She spent a couple of years in Cincinnati, Ohio, Butler, PA, and Savannah, Georgia but the hilltop at the edge of her grandfather’s farm was home. 

Dolores was a graduate of East Brady High School and the Butler memorial Hospital School of nursing. She married Donnell G. Hiwiller on June 14, 1952; he preceded her in death on March 25, 2019. 

As a registered nurse, Dolores began her career at what was then “Kittanning” Hospital. She worked at Butler Memorial Hospital for 22 years, first in pediatrics and then in their “new” intensive care unit. When her health issues complicated “on the floor nursing”, she went to work for the Visiting Nurses and then at the Hoffman Medical Center through National Health Services Corps, Dr. Bruce Block, one of four physicians serving Hoffman Medical Center through National Health Services Corps, was awarded a grant through the federal Rural Health Initiative that expanded health care in underserved portions of the rural America. As part of this grant, Dolores had the opportunity to travel to Wichita State University to be trained, along with her late friend Betty Conto, as a nurse practitioner. Dolores and Betty were among the first certified and registered nurse practitioners in the country. As a CRNP, Dolores worked at the Petrolia and Cowansville Medical Centers. One of Dolores’ favorite jobs was doing well childcare for the babies delivered by the late Dr. John Garrett. She continued to work as a CRNP into her seventies. 

Reading, sewing, knitting, and enjoying her flowers in the yard were favorite pastimes. Spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was her most favored activity. Dolores was generous with her time, her medical expertise, and other support for her grandchildren. She loved animals, especially her cats; 19-year-old Fred and Tiny Little survive her. Dolores served as Worthy Matron of the East Brady Chapter of the Eastern Star. In 2021, she was named “Queen of Quality Life Services”, a title she cherished. (She loved that crown!) 

Within the extended family and in the community, Dolores was often called when medical emergencies arose. She cared for her husband, her parents, her grandparents, her brother, and her uncle Boyd McElroy as they reached the end of their lives. 

Dolores was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Community Church, Chicora, Pa. She was a Sunday School teacher and served on many committees. She and husband Don worked with the youth fellowship for several years. 

Dolores and Don are survived by two daughters, Karen King, PsyD, (husband Raymond Edward), and Sue Shirey, RN, (husband Galen.) Completing the family are grandchildren Jesse (Jessica) Shirey, DVM, Emily (Gene) Rapp, DVM, Lindsay (Mark) Kloepping, and Jordan (Caitlin) King. Dolores had 11 great grandchildren: Grady, Sophia, Stella, and Colton Shirey, Jeb, Libby, and Cameron Rapp, Noah and Lia Kloepping, and Maris and Stellan King. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Patricia Hiwiller Reimer, nieces Amy Weibel and Laurie (Jerry) Lisanti and family, nephew M. Dann (Cheryl) Weibel and family, her aunt Ruby Kamerer, and many Kamerer cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be directed to Just Us For Animals, 496 Seminole Road, New Bethlehem, PA 16242, or a charity of their choice. 

The family would like to thank the staff and administration of QLS Sugarcreek along with the Tack family for their kindness, tolerance, and care of Mom during her stay in long term care. A special thank you to Kelly Montgomery, QLS manager, who befriended Mom and supported all of us. 

Visitation will be held for Dolores on Friday, June 17, 2022 in the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 832 East Brady Road, Cowansville, PA 16218 from 2:00 -4:00pm & 6:00 – 8:00pm. 

Additional viewing will be held on Saturday June 18, 2022 in St. Paul’s Community Church, RD1 Chicora, PA from 10:00am until time of services at 11:00am with Rev. Frank Sapp officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.

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