Dorothy Edwards (Cress), 91, of Greencastle, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19th, 2026. Dorothy, affectionately called Dot, was a Janet of all trades over the course of her life. She was well-known for her involvement with the 4-H Horse and Pony Club, where she served as a leader for over 30 years and helped shape numerous young men and women into the people they are today.

Dorothy worked in a variety of fields in her lifetime, including nursing, real estate, ceramics, and the floral industry. She was a long-time member of Sherwood Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school and served as church treasurer. Dorothy enjoyed telling tales of her days driving race cars, judging horse shows, and working with Purdue University’s Equine Program.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Edwards; daughters Janella Whittaker and Carla Padgett; parents Tom and Dessie (Stevens) Cress; siblings Connie Cress, Betty Nelson, Eleanor Sides, and Shirley Marlow; nephew Bruce Nelson; and numerous family and friends. What a reunion that must be!

She will be greatly missed by those she left behind. They include her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Ryan Sears, wife Emily, and daughter Audrey; Dessa Frank, husband Rob, and sons Ian and Elijah; and Ben Worthington, wife Cassy. She also leaves behind members of her found family: son Tracy Merkel, sister Alice Beck, as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.

We will gather to honor Dorothy’s life at Sherwood Christian Church in Greencastle with a visitation on Sunday, February 1st, from 2-5 pm and funeral services on Monday, February 2nd at 11 am. Burial will follow at Boone-Hutchinson Cemetery.