Dolores A. Yepko's Obituary
Dolores A. Yepko, (nee Sender), age 94, of Vermilion, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Kingston of Vermillion Nursing Home in Vermilion, Ohio following a brief illness.
Dolores was born on July 21, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio and was the youngest of six children of Ignatius and Veronica Sender formerly of Lorain, Ohio.
Dolores married Edward Nicholas Yepko on September 18, 1950, in Monroe, Michigan. Dolores and Ed were married for 71 years. Ed proceeded her in death in January, 2022.
Dolores graduated from Lorain St. Mary’s High School in 1947. It is here where she made lifelong friends that formed the “Winker’s Club” which met on a routine basis; they even changed their name to the “Married Winker’s Club” as they continued to meet well into their elderly years after they were all married. As a teenager she worked in the office of her family’s business, Sender’s Coal Company. She also worked at JC Pennys’s from 1970 to 1987 as a sales associate in various departments such as Bridal, Women’s Coats & Dresses and Fine Jewelry, retiring in October 1987 after 17 years.
Dolores and Ed had maintained residences in both Lorain and Vermilion until the mid-1990s at which time Vermilion became their place of permanent residency. They also lived for several years in Englewood, Florida at the Mobile Gardens Mobile Home Park, spending the winter months there to avoid the cold Ohio weather.
Dolores was devout in her Catholic faith and proud of her Polish heritage. She was an active member of Saint Stanislaus Church in Lorain until its closure in 2009. She was a Eucharistic Minister and would travel to administer the eucharist to those who were homebound. She later joined the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lorain which was fitting seeing as she held the Blessed Virgin Mary in such high regard. She traveled to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia with two of her nieces in the mid-1980s in hopes to witness the apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje, the Virgin Mary.
She loved being with her family and playing cards but also took the time to quietly say at least one rosary a day. She was an avid reader and an amazing cook. She was the ultimate hostess always asking if she could get you something to eat or drink and she prepared the most amazing meals and baked goods for her family and guests. She and Ed enjoyed boating and fishing on the Vermilion River and Lake Erie. So much time spent on the water prompted her to obtain her CPR certification through Lorain County Chapter of the Red Cross. She was a member of the Polish Women’s Alliance of America and several Polish based organizations such as the United Polish Club and the Polish American Citizens Club.
She is survived by her son Dale Yepko (Jill) of Oberlin; grandchildren: Wendy Snodgrass (Craig) of Lorain and Mark Yepko (Kathie) of North Port, Florida, and great grandchildren Madison, Morgan and Emma Snodgrass, all of Lorain. She was preceded in death by her parents Ignatius and Veronica Sender (nee Anuskiewicz), brothers: Chester, William, and John Sender and sisters: Genevieve Mayak and Helen Szarek. Fondly called Aunt Dodo, she also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 10:00-11:00 am at Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 1454 Lexington Ave in Lorain with the Rev. Father Gerald Keller presiding. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church or any charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dovin Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center.
Online condolences can be made to www.dovinreberjones.com
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