Monday, October 20th, 2025
Dorothy Garwick
Dorothy Elizabeth Garwick, age 94, of Mendon, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at her residence.
She was born March 26, 1931, in Mercer County, the daughter of Gifford & Lucille (Elder) Bair. Dorothy and Clifford Howick "Howdy" Garwick were married in 1952. Howdy passed away on April 22, 2013. Their son, Scott Rollen Garwick, preceded them in death August 13, 2012. Dorothy's brother, Donald Dwight Bair, passed away on October 3, 2025.
She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Virginia Bair, Howdy's father, Clifford E. Garwick, and his mother and stepfather, Maxine Clover Garwick Putman and Robert E.L. Putman.
Dorothy is survived by a daughter, Sherry Garwick Davis, of Celina.
She was a graduate of Neptune High School in Center Township. Dorothy was a member of the Mendon First Church of God, where she taught Sunday School and was Church Council Secretary for many years.
Dorothy met Howdy Garwick while they both worked at The Daily Standard in Celina. She was a Linotype machine operator, while Howdy worked in what was then called "Ad Alley."
Not long after their marriage, Dorothy wished to create a business on their property which would allow her to stay home and raise their children. This small business eventually became Garwick's The Pet People, located outside of Mendon.
Dorothy was a frontrunner in the pet business, as she started grooming and boarding dogs long before anyone else had thought of such things. In addition, she added birds, fish, reptiles, and pet supplies, while still maintaining boarding and grooming of pets.
Over 58 years of business, Garwick's The Pet People grew to include raising and nurturing countless puppies and kittens for families in many counties beyond Mendon, Ohio. Dorothy was well known for her fairness as a businesswoman and her kindness towards all humans and animals alike.
Subsequent to her cremation, visitation will be held at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon, on Thursday, October 23rd, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. No Funeral Services are scheduled.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: The Animal Protection League of Mercer County, P.O. Box 663, Celina 45822.
Condolences can be expressed to Dorothy's family at: dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.
