Gloria Irene Sanchez, 83

 Born: April 3, 1930

 Died: June 17, 2013

 

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 their parents could pursue their business endeavors in the Smith Hoist Design and Manufacturing Co.

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 Rev. Juan (Julie) Sanchez of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Jose (Heather) Sanchez Jr. of Wheaton, Ill.; one stepson, Manuel (Marva) Sanchez of Seattle, Wash.; 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, June 21, from 6 until 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, June 22, 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, a charter member of the House of Prayer, will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.

 Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.