Dolores L. Allwine, age 87, longtime Shelby resident, died Tuesday morning, September 2, 2025 at The Wellington at North Bend Crossing in Cincinnati. Dolores moved to Cincinnati three years ago to be near family.
Dolores was born September 19, 1937 in Galion to birthparents, Alberta James and Gene Lyons. She was later adopted by her loving parents, Grant and Pearl (Cole) Gifford, and raised in Galion graduating from Galion High School in 1955. On July 30 of that same year, Dolores married Richard James Allwine. Working at The Style Shop in downtown Shelby for a couple of years, Dolores and Dick then started a family. Together they raised their three children in Shelby where Dolores was an active homemaker and mother. She was always willing to help with anything the kids participated in, including being a room mother at school, a Girl Scout leader, and assisting with the Shelby Whippet Band Boosters, to name a few. She was a longtime member of Young Timers Mother’s Club.
As her children grew, Dolores returned to work as a teller at National City Bank in Shelby. She served 17 years in the location across from the Shelby Post Office before retiring. Throughout her life she always remained active, having enjoyed being in several golf and bowling leagues, bike riding, camping, and spending time on their pontoon boat. She also was a talented ceramicist. Caregiving was natural for Dolores, as she spent many years caring for numerous relatives.
Dolores is survived by her 3 children: Marcia (Mark) Kluesener of Cincinnati, Brenda (Mike) Moyer of Cincinnati, and Terence “Terry” (Steve Durasin) Allwine of Columbus; 6 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Andy Brown) Kluesener, Katherine (Alex) Vera, Haley Kluesener, Andrew (Brian) Altmoyer, Kyle Moyer, and Lucas (Savannah) Morris; 3 great grandchildren: Samuel and Daniel Vera, and Illyanna Altmoyer; in-laws: Lawrence (Joan) Allwine and Janice Davis; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In addition to her birth parents and adoptive parents, Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, on October 16, 2022 and half-brother, Paul James.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 12-1 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Mass of Christian Burial will be held after calling hours, beginning at 1:30 pm, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby, with Fr. Chris Mileski celebrating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions made to Grace Hospice, 4435 Aicholtz Road, Cincinnati, OH 45245.
Condolences may be made on Dolores’ obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).