Dorothy A. (Ames) Tullar

Rushford --- Dorothy A. Tullar of 9647 Brookside Road went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Olean General Hospital. She was born in her grandparents’ house on December 11, 1931, in Oatka, a daughter of the late Myrl and Florice Mack Ames. On August 17, 1957, in the Yorkshire Methodist Church she married Erwin E. Tullar who predeceased her on April 17, 2021.

Dorothy lived in Warsaw and Castile before her parents moved to Silver Springs where she grew up. She graduated from the Silver Springs School of the Letchworth School District and later earned her bachelor’s degree in music as a violin major from Houghton College. She earned her second bachelor’s degree from SUNY in Music Education and also received a Certificate in Art from Famous Artist Correspondence School while recovering from an injury to her foot.

She taught music in Arcade Central School, Attica Central School and in Java Center.  Dorothy would meet her husband when she attended the Free Methodist Church of Yorkshire during that time.

Dorothy and Erwin made their home in rural Arcade until their first child was 1 ½, when they moved to Cozy Nook Farm in Rushford.

Once the children arrived, she stopped teaching full time and taught private piano, organ and violin lessons in her home. When the children were school aged, she subbed at Rushford Central School and Fillmore Central School, not only for music, but wherever needed.

She and her husband were members of and faithfully attended Rushford Baptist Church where she served as the organist for over 30 years.

She also taught Released Time Bible Classes for many years, as well as participated in a Women’s Bible Study in Hume and Houghton.

Using her music and art skills, along with the musical abilities of her children, she developed a chalk art with black light and music ministry, traveling to various churches to share God’s love. Erwin went along as moral and prayer support!

Surviving are her children, Cheryl (Rob) Garrish of Aldan, PA, Dan (Lorie) Tullar of Rushford, Steve Tullar of Rushford, Janis (Gus) Haydt of Honeybrook, PA, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, her sister, Vivian Apple, a brother-in-law, Duane Tullar, two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Tullar and Myrna Strassheim and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents she was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Linda Sampson Tullar, a sister Ruby Merrill, four brothers-in-law, Alan Merrill, Eugene Apple, Tom Strasheim, Bill Wells, two sisters-in-law, Arlene Wells and Anabelle Tullar.

Family and friends may gather from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Rushford Baptist Church where a funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm. Michael Stephenson will officiate. Burial will be in Bellville Cemetery, Town of New Hudson.

Memorials if desired to: Bliss Summit Bible Camp, 6113 Horton Rd, Bliss, NY 14024, https://www.blisssummit.com/donate-now/ or the Rushford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26, 9016 Main Street, Rushford, NY 14777