Kathlea Dorlan Gibson

Kathlea Dorlan Gibson (nee: Friend), 87 years of age, and a resident of Lorain, passed away  Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain.

She was born October 17, 1933 in Adrian, West Virginia where she was raised and lived until 1957. Kathlea had made her home in Lorain for the last sixty-three years. She was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College where she received her bachelors in Education and her Masters at Kent State University.

Kathlea was employed as an Elementary Teacher with the Lorain City Schools for twenty-six years before retiring in 1983.  She was a member of Lorain Lighthouse United Methodist Church and a former member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church where she was active with various committees.   Kathlea was a member of the American Association of University Women.  

Survivors include her sister in law Mildred Friend of Lorain.

She was preceded in death by her first husband of nineteen years George Cogar in 1988; her second husband of ten years Junior Lee Gibson in 2007; her brother Donald R. Friend; and her parents Hartsel and Edna Friend (nee: Caplinger).

Public visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021 afternoon by reservation at  https://signup.com/go/mBHjqoz or by calling 440-988-4451 during business hours  9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. at Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst, OH.  Funeral Services will be held Thursday morning by reservation at   https://signup.com/go/myQboCP  at Hempel Funeral Home. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com  The Rev. Adam Davis of Lorain Lighthouse United Methodist Church, will officiate.  Burial will take place at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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