Doris M. Faler 1929-2025

She was born Oct. 31, 1929, the daughter of Clark and Lucy Hartman.

The former Doris Hartman met the love of her life, John “Jack” Barry Faler, and they married Nov. 11, 1950, after he came home from Germany during World War II. They were blessed with four children and lived in Southington.

After graduating from Chalker High School in 1947, she was hired as a legal secretary in a Warren law firm. She worked in that same office until she was 72 years old. She loved the law and was quite knowledgeable about it. She could type up a will from memory and was often on the phone in the evenings, listening and giving common-sense advice to friends and family in need of legal advice. She was a hard worker and smart. She was often called “the best legal secretary around” by her bosses.

Sadly, her beloved husband, Jack, passed away at the young age of 38. With four small children to raise, Doris put one foot in front of the other and dedicated her life to raising her family. She drew her strength from her church and her Bible.

She taught Sunday School, was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society and served on the board at Delightful Evangelical Congregational Church.

The attorneys valued her so much that they arranged a temporary secretary every summer so that Doris could have the summer to devote to her children.

She always had a garden and especially loved her sweet corn. She hung clothes out on the line and basically loved the simple things in life. Puzzles could be found spread out on her table for days at a time. If she wanted something done, she figured out a way to achieve it. She was a model of how to live a good life.

After moving to Lordstown, she became a faithful member of Bailey Road Baptist Church, where she was baptized and found many dear friends. She truly enjoyed the fellowship at the church, served on the board for a time and was the librarian. She likely read every book in the library as she catalogued each one on her typewriter.

Doris could still write shorthand well into her 90s, which has become a lost art. After retiring, she could most often be found on her porch swing, sitting in the sunshine, enjoying a good book.

Doris lived frugally, but she had a love of building houses. She helped design and build five beautiful homes during her lifetime. She could look at a blueprint, envision the size of a room and know exactly how her furniture would fit in the space.

In her younger years, she eventually got her Realtor’s license and sold houses for a time.

Doris valued her right to vote and would plan well in advance of Election Day for whom she would cast her ballot. She had strong opinions and always stood up for what she believed in. She was extremely independent and strong-willed, which served her well in raising a family alone.

She enjoyed being around people and socializing. Doris set the bar high for her family, and they made her very proud by following in her footsteps, always hard working and successful in life.

Doris is survived by her children, Janet Kumher of Farmdale, Judy (Keith) Westenfelder of Lordstown, Linda (Rusty) MacDonald of Blythewood, South Carolina, and John (Christine) Faler of Lordstown; grandchildren, Jason Westenfelder, Verne Kumher, Lacey Thompson, Jamison Westenfelder, Rusty MacDonald, Kristy Peplow, Amanda MacDonald and Olivia Faler; and four great-granddaughters, Addison and Ella Thompson, Alayna Peplow and Marleigh MacDonald. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John “Jack” Faler; sister, Elizabeth Garner; grandson, Dillon Faler; and son-in-law, Verne A. Kumher.

Immense gratitude and thanks to the entire staff at Brookdale Alzheimer’s Care Center and Akeso Hospice for their unmatched compassion and love given to Doris in her last days. They are all angels here on earth. We cannot thank you enough for the extraordinary care she received.

Special thank you to Bailey Road Baptist Church members who prayed for Doris and continued to send cards and encouragement during her illness. Also, thanks to all the family and friends who have supported us and gave us strength as we did our best to care for her.

A private service was held with arrangements entrusted to Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, Warren.

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