Doris Mary (Kowalewski) Fillbach, 81, daughter of Anthony J. Kowalewski and Helen Mary (Zajaczkowski) Kowalewski, was born Oct. 23, 1928, in Ozone Park, Long Island, N.Y. She passed away at her daughter’s home on March 19, 2010.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; one son, Paul; and three brothers, John, Walter and Theodore.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Kathleen C. Monks of Houston MO.; a son, William H. Fillbach III of Virginia; one sister, Helen Walicki of Bangor, Pa.; five grandsons, Emmett W. Monks and Matthew S. Monks of Houston, Mo., William H. Fillbach IV of Pai, Thailand, Timothy Fillbach of Vermont and Paul Fillbach Jr. of Waynesville, Mo.; eight granddaughters, Catherine Woods of West Plains, Mo., Christian Monks of Houston, Mo., Elizabeth Monks of Mountain View, Mo., Shawn Krratz of Ozark, Mo., Heather Fillbach of Waynesville, Mo., and Michelle, Billie Jo and Allison Rake of Bangor, Pa.; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Doris was baptized into the Catholic Church and was the oldest of six children. Her parents moved to Huntington Station, L.I., N.Y., when she was a child. She graduated from Huntington High School. She married William H. Fillbach Jr. on June 27, 1948 at St Hughes Catholic Church in N,Y. To this union one daughter and two sons were born. She started her career as a telephone operator. Doris loved to work with people. She started working in the food service industry in 1960. She moved to Pennsylvania in 1970 and worked with her sister in their family restaurant. In 1980, she moved to her daughter’s farm in Houston, Mo. She and her husband built a log home in the woods overlooking the farm. Doris had many dairy farmer friends when she worked for DHIA. After retiring from DHIA, she worked at McDonalds as a crew trainer. At the age of 75, she went to work at the Cabool nursing home as an activities coordinator. She finally decided to retire full time in 2006. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and a Council member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
Doris was immensely proud of her grandchildren. She loved her flower gardens, crocheting, needlework and truly enjoyed being with her church family at St. Marks.
Doris was a devote Catholic her entire life. She is now at home in the arms of God.
Services were 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church with Father Matthew Rahrauer officiating. Pallbearers were Emmett G. Monks, Emmett Wesley Monks, Jim Messenger, William H. Fillbach, Lonnie L.Woods and Curt Cichon. Burial was in Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, Springfield, Mo.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Building Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.