Frances Gloria Witkus, 89, of Bluffton, passed away on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 17, 2024, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
She was born April 8, 1934, in Jay County to Merl E. and Lena (Showalter) Glessner. Gloria attended Portland High School and worked at Jets for a few years in Portland. She was a longtime member of Old Country Church in Hartford City. Her main focus in life was that of a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
On June 1, 1980, Gloria married Ronald “Ron” P. Witkus in Portland. He preceded her in death on March 12, 2015.
Survivors include her children, Steven (Linda) W. Cavanaugh of Geneva, Chris L. (Tina) Cavanaugh of Portland, Sherry W. Baker of Lebanon, Tenn., Wendell (Melinda) Butcher II of Bluffton.
She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ron; a son Rocky A. Cavanaugh; her siblings, Elizabeth Jordan, Mary Steveson, and Margaret Booher; and a grandchild.
A funeral service to celebrate Gloria’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton.
Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., prior to the service.
Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton.
Memorials may be made in Gloria’s memory to the Bluffton Fire Department for Fire Safety in our local schools.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.