Born: April 3, 1930

Died: June 17, 2013

Gloria Irene Sanchez, 83

Gloria Irene Sanchez, 83, of Orlando, Fla., formerly of Cassopolis, died peacefully early in the morning of Monday, June 17, 2013 in her home in the presence of her family.

Gloria was born April 3, 1930 in Chicago to Charles and Levola (Brown) Smith. At the age of 3 she moved to Cassopolis with two siblings Constance and Charles, Jr. to be raised by paternal grandparents E. L. and Leozie Smith on their farm so that their parents could pursue their business endeavors in the Smith Hoist Design and Manufacturing Company.

Gloria attended elementary school in Willow Pond and graduated from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1961. She held several jobs, including working in a book bindery, as a switch board operator, at a nursing home, and in the pathology department of Mother Cabrina Hospital. Hospital work and music were her passions. She was a devoted and active member of the House of Prayer Community Church of Cassopolis.

Gloria will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by one daughter, Maria (Dennis) Wooden of Orlando, Fla.; three sons, Frederick (Soledad) Smith of Cassopolis; the Reverend Juan (Julie) Sanchez of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Jose (Heather) Sanchez, Jr., of Wheaton, Ill.; one step-son, Manuel (Marva) Sanchez of Seattle, Washington; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister Constance “Connie” (Bert) Goens of Decatur; former husband, Jose Sanchez, Sr. of Mexico; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Charles R. Smith, Jr.; and one adopted daughter, Gerarda Harris.

Family and friends will gather Friday from 4 to 8p.m., and again Saturday from noon until time of service at 1 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 N. Broadway St., Cassopolis, with the Rev. Juan Sanchez and the Rev. Leozie Broadnax officiating. Mrs. Sanchez will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.  Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.