It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Doris Irene (Dorie) Charles of Fayetteville, Ohio who departed us peacefully on Sunday October 18, 2026 at the age of 97. Dorie was born February 17, 1929 in Greenville, Ohio as the daughter of the late Carl D. and F. Augusta (Schulz) Shields. She grew up in the Greenville area before moving to Dayton, Ohio where she began her schooling and career.
Dorie began her long Medical career journey at Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, where she acquired her R.N. degree in 1950. She continued her education at University of Dayton while doing various supervisory positions in nursing through 1955 where she received her B.S. degree. She then was accepted into the University of Cincinnati Medical School where she earned her MD in 1959. She Interned at Christ Hospital and residency in Anesthesiology at Christ Hospital until 1961 then started in private practice of family medicine in Mariemont, Ohio for 7 years. In 1968, she became the Staff physician at UC Student Health Service before becoming the Director of UC Student Health Services. In 1978 she started serving as Associate Vice Provost of Student Affairs, University of Cincinnati before being hired in 1981 as Director of University Health Service and Team Physician of The Ohio State University where she retired in 1990. During the first six years while at Ohio State, she also worked as an Ambulatory Health Care Surveyor for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. Dorie also volunteered to serve on the Board for Brown County Hospital from 2013 to 2017. She was very active in the Brown County Republican Party holding several events at her home over the years. Dorie was a faithful member of the Fayetteville House of Worship, where she attended for the past 5 years.
Over the years Dorie loved dancing, traveling, playing tennis, boating, entertaining, and spending time outdoors. She would share her experiences of life with enthusiasm, especially her and Jim’s trip to the Holy Land. She loved going to church and spending time with friends. She was very instrumental in helping others in their careers at the various Universities when she held supervisory roles. She was a major proponent for integrative natural health and healing. Dorie was especially a strong advocate for The Open Door Literacy Project which garnered support from U.S and Ohio state congressmen. This project was started by her and her late husband Jim Charles.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Charles and brothers Richard Shields and William A. Shields.
Surviving by two siblings, Duane Shields of Greenville, Ohio and Kay Shields of Columbus, Ohio; many nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-law and friends.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at the Dunkard Ridge Cemetery, 11474 Butler Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133.
Shawn Hawk of the Fayetteville House of Worship will conduct services.
A celebration of life is being planned for early 2027.
Thompson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.
To sign Doris’s online guest book, visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com, or to leave a like, comment or share, visit the Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Care Facebook Page.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Thompson Funeral Homes & Cremation Care.