Dorothy Elnora Nieman Fairchild was born July 31, 1944 to William and Mary (DeYoung) Nieman. After a long, courageous battle with leukemia, she is joining her parents, Bill and Mary, her sisters Judy and Bethy, and brothers Russ and Billy in Heaven.

She married the love of her life, Mike Fairchild on April 25, 1970. They were blessed with six children: Pam Schooler (life partner Janet Slawson) of Chicago, Illinois, Triena (Fred) Mellen of Breckenridge, MI, Sandra (Bud) Kirvan of St. Louis, MI, Rhonda Post of Detour, MI, Mike (Shelley) Fairchild of St. Louis, MI, and Michelle (Brandon) Bailey of Breckenridge, MI. 

Dorothy enjoyed re-upholstering furniture, reading, and sewing. She also enjoyed doing crafts, running dogs with Mike, and spending time with her 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband Mike, her children, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her siblings: Thelma Nicewander, Berneda (Richard) Shattuck, Dick (Deb) Nieman, Bob (Kitch) Nieman, and Carolyn (Ken) Brown.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, July 1, 2010, at 11 AM at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Joseph Barden officiating. Burial will be in the North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 30, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be given to the family.