Dawn E. Wilson 1963-2025

Dawn graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education-English in 1986 and her master’s degree in college student personnel in 1988. Her first professional position was as hall director at Kent State University. Dawn was hired as an area coordinator at the University of Cincinnati in 1990 and later became the first director of Resident Education and Development, a position she held until 2014.

Dawn loved to read and her favorite book was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The novel was central to Dawn’s consistent personal and professional advocacy and allyship for marginalized persons.

A member of session and elder at Mount Washington Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati, Dawn served on several committees. She always organized or donated to food, clothing, school supplies and toy drives.

She is survived by her brother, Roy Wilson; and sister, Kimberley (Richard) Brunton. Family meant everything to Dawn, who was Aunt Dee to her nieces, Christy (Jody Mauch) Kovacs, Kelly (Dane) Wilson, Carrie (Aaron) Byard and Amber (Dana Wheaton) Brunton; and nephew, Evan (Mara Heckathorn) Brunton. She adored her great-nieces and -nephews, Jack, Liam and Emilia Kovacs, Mia and Mara Byard, Ace Wilson, Madalynn Heckathorn and Paul Brunton. Dawn is also survived by her longtime friends, Andy Walters and Randy Ulses.

Dawn was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, Paul and Bessie Garland of Mineral Ridge.

The family will receive relatives and friends 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Lane Funeral Homes, Mineral Ridge Chapel.

A funeral service will be at noon Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the funeral home.

Following the service, Dawn will be laid to rest in Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

To share thoughts of sympathy, please visit lanefuneralhomes.com.

(special notice)