Doris was born October 31, 1941 in Sturgis, SD to Ralph and Leona (Schuller) Voorhees. She attended the one-room Kennedy School in Arpan, SD through 8th grade and then on to Nisland High School. She earned her teaching degree at the age of 17 at the Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD.
Doris taught elementary school in Rapid City, Green River, Rock River and then Sheridan, WY after taking 10 years off to raise her girls, Jewel and Jill. She retired after 32 years of teaching.
Doris married Buddy Chafee on December 24, 1964 in Spearfish, SD. They moved frequently due to his work in construction, finally settling in Sheridan, WY in 1973. After retiring in 2000, Doris and Buddy hit the road in their 40-foot motorhome and enjoyed traveling and seeing the country together. They loved exploring the desert and spending time with friends, eventually making their home in Yuma, AZ in 2016.
Doris J. Chafee, 75, passed away in Phoenix, AZ on August 8, 2017 with her husband and two girls by her side. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Buddy Chafee, her daughters, Jewel (Sal) Panelli, Jill (Rodney) Lerwick, her grandchildren, Emily Benjamin, Dominic Panelli, Logan and Luke Lerwick, her brothers Richard (Beverly), Ronald (Carol), Fred and Ray (Peggy) Voorhees and many nieces and nephews, as well as her brothers-in-law Jack (Neda) and Jim Chafee. She was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, Bud and Elizabeth Chafee, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and June Lewis.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, August 18, 2017 at Champion Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the Sheridan High School Auditorium, 1056 Long Dr., in Sheridan. Interment will follow in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Doris’s name in care of Champion Funeral Home, 244 S. Brooks St., Sheridan, WY 82801. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.
