Dorothy Spon

Dorothy Spon, age 96, peacefully went to be with the Lord at her home on February 3, 2019, surrounded by her loving children. “Petite in stature, mighty in love”—such is the remembrance of our dear mother, Dorothy Spon.

Dorothy was born in Cicero, Illinois on November 23,1922, the daughter of the late Samuel and Helen (Ames) Mendelson. She later moved with her family to Hialeah, Florida during the Great Depression. She graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1941. Dorothy was preceded in death by an infant son, Steven; a sister, Mabel Dempsey; and two brothers, David and Lee Mendelson. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, her beloved husband, Judge John R. Spon, whom she married on October 27,1942. They were married for seventy years.

Dorothy’s lifelong passion was to serve God, her family, and her friends. “Friends” included anyone in need of God’s love. In this regard Dorothy was a faithful ambassador of Jesus Christ to others by her loving acts of kindness, comforting words, and unwavering faith.

Dorothy was a member and past president of the Steubenville Chapter of Women’s Aglow, a Bible study group leader, and a Sunday School teacher. She was also a Christian retreat organizer and speaker at various churches, fellowships, and Bible study groups. An avid student of the Bible, Dorothy loved to encourage others with the truth of God’s Word.

Dorothy was also a member of the Steubenville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served as it’s chaplain and chairperson and on several committees. She was also a member of the Laura E McGowan Circle of King’s Daughters and Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Ohio.

Dorothy dearly loved her church, First Westminster Presbyterian Church, Steubenville, and was an active participant in the Church’s women’s Bible Study. She often joyfully spoke of the increasing spirituality and growth of the church.

Dorothy enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and studying the genealogy of her family. While in her nineties, and as a special gift to her children, Dorothy compiled a detailed and voluminous treasury of the family’s history in light of the then current world events. A copy of this two volume set of the family’s history was then given to each of her five children last Mother’s Day. Her children will forever cherish this sacrificial gift of love to them and to their posterity.

Dorothy was a lifelong homemaker, devoted wife, and mother of five children who survive her: Lelani “Penny” (Dr. Howard) Brettell, Jr. of Steubenville, Ohio: Attorney John (Dusty) Spon and Judge Ronald (Mary) Spon of Mansfield, Ohio; Cynthia (Andrew) Young of Venetia, Pennsylvania; and Gail (Albert) Provenzano of Steubenville, Ohio. Dorothy is also survived by sixteen grandchildren: Attorney Gaither (Attorney Donald) DeLuca of Sanibel, Florida; Megan (Rick) Baker of Decatur, Georgia; Brittany (Josh) Welfle of Norwalk, Ohio; Morgen Spon, Jonathan (fiancé Jacqueline) Spon of Columbus, Ohio; Garret Selfinger, Joel (Kailee) Selfinger, Sean (Jacqueline) Selfinger and Brian Selfinger of Columbus, Ohio. Attorney Heather (Attorney Todd) Wilkowski) and Jennifer Oden of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ryan (Mary Jo) Spon of Mansfield, Ohio; Attorney Kaitlin (Jason) Godfrey of Menlo Park, California and Molly, ACNP (Dr. David) Boudreault of Redwood City, California. Dr. Aaron (Megan) Provenzano of Toronto, Ohio, Dr. Ashley (Giovanni) Diaz of Miami, Florida. She is also survived by twenty two great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

In final tribute to their mother, Dorothy’s children rise up and call her “Blessed,” for having been such a devoted mother and glorious testimony of God’s unconditional and unfailing love. Family will receive friends Thursday, February 7 from 4-7 pm at the Mosti Funeral Home, 4435 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at the First Westminster Presbyterian Church, 235 N. 4th St. Steubenville, Ohio on Friday, February 8 at 11 am with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Rev. Jason Elliott will officiate. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery, Steubenville, Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made either to First Westminster Presbyterian Church, 235 N. 4th St., Steubenville, Ohio 43952 or Charity Hospice, Inc., P.O. Box 2483, Wintersville, Ohio 43953. The family extends special thanks to Charity Hospice for their loving care.

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