Dr. Dorothy Irwin Mitstifer

Dr. Dorothy Irwin Mitstifer, Ph.D, 83 of East Lansing Michigan formerly of Williamsport, PA passed away Sunday, September 13, 2015 at the Hospice House of Mid Michigan. Dorothy, born August 17, 1932 in Gaines, PA, was the daughter of the late Leonard and Laura (Crane) Irwin. Upon graduating from Genesee High School in Genesee, PA, Dorothy earned a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Mansfield University, followed by both an M.Ed. and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

For more than 50 years, Dr. Mitstifer served as the Executive Director and Editor of Kappa Omicron Nu (KON), the national human sciences honor society.  She also served for decades as Executive Director for the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), and held executive and board positions for other local, state, and national organizations too numerous to count. Dr. Mitstifer authored over 100 books, articles, and manuscripts, and always shared her time and talents generously. Her service and devotion to higher education, undergraduate research and professional development earned countless awards, and inspired enduring affection and respect from her students and colleagues around the globe. At her retirement in 2015, she was named Executive Director Emerita for both KON and ACHS in honor of her lasting legacy of excellence in scholarship, leadership, and research.

In addition to being the consummate professional, Dorothy was devoted to her family and cherished every moment spent with them. She was intensely proud of her boys, Kurt Mitstifer of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Brett Mitstifer (Marybeth) of West Caldwell, NJ, and she completely lit up when sharing photos and stories about her seven grandchildren; Gunnar, Torrance, Matthew, Nicholas, Brett, Jr., Kelly and Paige. Dorothy also adored her three sisters, Wilma Trias of Ormond Beach, FL, Ellen (Marvin) Mitterer of Trumansberg, NY and Roberta (Harvey) Butler of Friendship, NY. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband Robert Mitstifer. 

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 11 AM to 1PM       at the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral Home Inc. 1093 West Main Street, Troy, PA. Dorothy’s funeral service will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 1:00 PM with Reverend Josh Davinsizer of the Troy United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, PA. 

Memorial contributions honoring Dorothy’s memory may be made to the Dorothy I. Mitstifer Scholarship Fund, c/o Kappa Omicron Nu, 1749 Hamilton Rd., Suite 106, Okemos, MI 48864.

Send condolences to Vickeryfuneralhome.com

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