Indiana University East is remembering Dorothy Thorman, a longtime supporter of Wayne County youth and higher education. Thorman passed away August 24, 2017, at Friends Fellowship Community.

Thorman established the Graf Recreation Center in Springwood Hall in remembrance of her parents, John and Corinne Graf, and the John and Corrine Graf Professorship at IU East. Her contributions to IU East were in honor of her parent’s active support of local youth and she felt that education was the best memorial.

Dorothy Thorman

IU East Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe said Thorman continued to be supportive of IU East since she first established the gift in September 1998.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Dororthy’s family. The legacy that she has left in honor of her parents will continue to benefit IU East students for years to come,” Cruz-Uribe said. “The Graf Center continues to be a gathering place for students to study and to socialize and for campus events. We also just recently announced that Rosalie Aldrich has been appointed to the John and Corrine Graf Professorship, in a recognition of professional excellence and scholarly accomplishments at IU East. We are grateful to Dorothy for her contributions to the campus.”

Thorman and her parents lived in Richmond, Indiana. She was a graduate of Morton High School in Richmond. She attended Earlham College and Indiana University, where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, an avid athletics fan and IU booster.

John Graf was the president of IRC&D Motor Freight. Graf started his own business in the trucking industry as a pick-up and delivery service, and grew it into a company of over 300 employees and eight terminals. In 1979, John Graf received an American Truck Historical Society award, designating him as the “founder of the trucking industry.”

Thorman worked for IRC&D Motor Freight for 30 years, and eventually became president of the family company. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Chock of Kailua, Hawaii and her son, Harry Thorman of Richardson, Texas, and their families.

Services for Thorman will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, September 1, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m.