March 3, 1952 — April 29, 2015

Julia Ann Gleason, 63, of Dowagiac, died peacefully Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in her lake residence (her happy place) in the presence of her family.

She was born March 3, 1952 in Atlanta, Georgia to Bert and Helen (Grummon) Phillips. She married Dennis Gleason Nov. 26, 1969, in Cassopolis. He survives. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Trevor Dennis Gleason, in infancy.

Julie enjoyed traveling. She was an avid listener of Rush Limbaugh and watcher of Fox News. Julie liked hanging out with friends, especially at their lake house, including evening bass fishing. She never seemed to lose at Keno and was sure that the slot machines could talk to her. She called herself the “Slot Machine Whisperer.” Julie was a great cook and never turned down a good meal, especially if it was going out to dine. Her favorite times were those spent with her children and grandchildren. She always enjoyed celebrating her “month long” birthday.

Julie will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband of more than 45 years, Dennis Gleason of Dowagiac; one daughter, Shawna (Eric) West of Schoolcraft, Michigan; one son, Jeremy (Tiffany) Gleason of Henderson, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Ryan Gleason and Nicholas Gleason, both of Henderson, Tennessee, Ally West and Megan West, both of Schoolcraft, Michigan; one brother, Eric Phillips of Battle Creek, Michigan; and her Aussie, Diva.

Family and friends will gather Sunday, May 3, from 4 until 8 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway St., Cassopolis. Services will be Monday, May 4, 2015 at 1 p.m. in Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road (corner of M -60), Cassopolis with the Rev. Larry Settle officiating. Mrs. Gleason’s remains will be laid to rest in Reames and Norton Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers memorial contributions in Julie’s name be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 North Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007.

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