Dolores “Dolly” Ann Wampler Bishop of Pottstown, PA, passed away peacefully in her home of 59 years on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. The oldest of six children, Dolly was born February 17th, 1933, to the late Dee and Clairis (Miller) Wampler. She was the widow of Thomas R. Bishop, with whom she shared more than 36 years of marriage.
A lifelong resident of Pottstown, she graduated from Pottstown High School in 1951, where she was active in sports—field hockey, basketball, and softball—as well as in choir, glee club, and class cabinet. After high school, she worked for Philadelphia Dry Cleaners and Vaughan Knitting before taking a job at Bethlehem Steel, where she worked for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Tom, started their own business, BIS-LER Sophisticated Metals, where she served as president until her retirement in 1997.
She was an active member of Coventry Brethren Church, where she sang in the choir. A dedicated volunteer, Dolly spent 20 years with the Salvation Army and its Auxiliary and six years volunteering for the Pottstown Cluster of Churches, which was founded by her father, Dee Wampler. She was also a member of the Pottstown Hospital Auxiliary, the Pottstown Woman’s Club, and the Pottstown Senior Center. She remained active in planning the Pottstown High School Class of 1951 reunions as well and always was a volunteer working the election polls for her township, North Coventry.
Dolly had a love for flowers, gardening, travel, and the beach. Countless summers were spent with family and friends fishing at her shore house on Mystic Island, NJ. She enjoyed taking Caribbean cruises, trips with her “girls” to places such as Nashville, multiple cross country trips to visit family, and countless trips to NYC for Broadway shows with her mother, “daughter”, and “granddaughter”. She held a special place in her heart for the girlfriends who were part of the Circle of Friendship and enjoyed their outings and card games together.
Let’s not forget Dolly’s love of animals, especially German Shepherds. She was a devoted pup mom to Ed, Lass, Buffy, Hero, Eric, Duke, Dutchess, Greta, Gretchen, Story, Addy, Petra, and Daisy Mae. In addition, she had three cats: Tiger, Patches, and Goofy.
Dolly is survived by “daughter and son” Joan and Donald H. Silknitter Jr.; “granddaughter” Donna M. Silknitter-Rauchut (Tom); “grandson” Thomas W. Silknitter (Amy); “great-grandsons” Christopher and William Rauchut; brothers Richard and Kenneth (Marlene) Wampler; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends; and Kyle Hamlin (Danielle and daughter Mila). She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her brothers Brent, Gary, and Jeffrey Wampler.
The family also wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the overwhelmingly supportive, dedicated, and caring staff of AseraCare Hospice of Exton and Homewatch Caregivers of Pottstown for their help in caring for Dolly.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00AM at Coventry Church (946 Keen Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465). Burial will follow privately at East Coventry Mennonite Cemetery. A visitation will also be held from 10:00AM-11:00AM at the church.