Dorothy I. Cassaro

Dorothy Ilene Cassaro, 85, formerly of Bucyrus, died, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Otterbein SeniorLife Community in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio.

Dorothy was born on April 20, 1938 at home in Chatfield to the late Clifford J. and Doyle V. (Sponseller) Gerhart and was one of ten children.  She was a 1956 graduate of Chatfield High School where she was a cheerleader, majorette and learned to play the accordion, an instrument she played throughout her life.  On May 19, 1962 married Victor A. Cassaro Jr. and he survives. Dorothy worked briefly at Timken until raising a family and once her children were a little older, she became a cook in the Col. Crawford School system, where she saw to it that the students were properly fed throughout her 25 years with the school.

Dorothy will be remembered for the genuine love and care that she provided to her family. She always kept her home neat and tidy, and loved to cook and bake. Her rivel soup and handmade pretzels were family favorites and the pies she baked, as well as the rest of her sweet treats made, during the Christmas season, helped everyone to gain a few extra pounds. Dorothy also spent many hours working in her garden, which complimented many of her home cooked meals and led to much canning.

In her earlier years, she was active in a mothers club, and led to some lifelong friendships. Dorothy and Vic enjoyed many weekends at their place at Lake Erie, where she and Vic enjoyed fishing. This led to many great perch feasts as well as much fellowship with family and friends. They were always on the lookout for area garage sales and often found hidden treasures. They loved attending Col. Crawford basketball games as well as taking in shows and concerts through the Bucyrus Little Theatre and Crawford County Community Concert Association. 

In addition to Vic, her husband of nearly 62 years, Dorothy is survived by two sons, Todd (Kirsten) and Marc (Marcie); one granddaughter, Alexis (Nathan) Zeisloft and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by nine siblings, Carol Gerhart, Ireta Oberlander, Miriam Etzinger, Lois Albert, Kenneth, Robert, Arthur, Sam, and William Gerhart.

Calling hours will be held from 11-12:55 pm Saturday, March 30 at Wise Funeral Service, where her funeral will begin that day at 1:00 pm with Certified Celebrant Lisa Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in Brokensword Cemetery.

If desired, donations can be made payable to Ashanti Hospice and will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.