Ethel L. Dunlap Obituary (1922 - 2020)

Ethel L. Dunlap, 98, of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 29, 2020 at Butler Memorial Hospital. She was born August 17, 1922 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania to the late Orlando J. Tanner and the late Nellie M. Waugh Tanner. A member of Shiloh Baptist Church since 1942, she sang in the choir and served as Sunday School teacher, usher, recording secretary and treasurer. She was also a member of Butler County Soroptimists, Butler Rotary, YWCA, and Salvation Army. For 48 years she served in various capacities as part owner and operator of Black and White Express Trucking until the company closed in 1996. In 1998, she started her second career at the Butler VA Medical Center as telephone operator where patients would often call just to chat with her. After 15 years at the VA, she retired at the age of 91. Her most cherished jobs, ones she did so well, were that of wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Everyone was drawn to her kind heart, giving spirit, and joyous nature, which made her a mother figure to many. To know her as Mom, Mug, Ethel, or Mrs. D. was to know a beautiful spirit who would change your life for the better. She was a force, a loving woman like no other, and she will be deeply missed. Ethel is survived by her one daughter, Diane L. McDavid of Walled Lake, MI; four grandchildren, Ivory K. Dunlap of Butler, PA, Christopher (Stefanie) McDavid of White Lake, MI, Joshua Dunlap of Butler, PA, and Kayla (Ryan) Haynes of Allison Park, PA; five great-grandchildren, Vivica Dunlap, Tommy McDavid, Isaac McDavid, Ivy McDavid, and Carter Haynes; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J. Dunlap, who she married on July 11, 1942 and who passed away on March 21, 1989; two sisters, Orla June Tally and Dora Jean Hawkins; an infant daughter; and one son, Walter O. Dunlap. Friends will be received Sunday, January 3, 2021, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Thompson - Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, PA. A private funeral service will be held for the family. Due to Covid-19 State Guidelines, visitors are required to supply their own and to wear a facial masks and adhere to social distancing. Groups are limited to 10 people inside. Burial will take place in the Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 313 W. Cunningham St., Butler, PA 16001 or Butler VA Medical Center - www.butler.va.gov/giving.