Gladys Orewiler, 97

Gladys Marie Orewiler, 97, of Pioneer passed away Thursday January 16th at Hillside Country Living in rural Bryan.  She was born on June 28, 1916 in Cambria Michigan to Grace (Hodson) and William Lester Gemmill.  She was a 1934 graduate of Reading High School in Michigan.  She married Ralph I. Orewiler on November 22, 1939 and he preceded her in death on February 4, 1978.  She was a homemaker and assisted her husband with farming.  She also worked 6 years at Helfrich Egg Plant in Prattville and Waldron, Michigan.  She was a part time employee at Hadley’s Department Store for several years.  Gladys was a member of the Pioneer United Methodist Church and involved in the United Methodist Women.  At the church she was the financial secretary for 30 years.  She was a 50 year member of the Rebekah Lodge and served as a Nobel Grand, Past Nobel Grand, Conductor and Chaplain.  She was also a member of the North Central Senior Citizens.

Surviving are three daughters and one son.  Marian Kauffman of Defiance, Ohio, Mrs. Donald (Barbara) Drennen of Montgomery, Alabama, Patricia Light of Crossville, Tennessee and Robert (Robin) Orewiler of Lebanon, Tennessee; one son in law Roger McCafferty of San Benito, Texas; one brother Donald (Patricia) Gemmill of Hemet, California; one sister in law Ila Nisley of Pioneer; twenty grandchildren, forty four great grandchildren, twenty three great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband Ralph, an infant son, one daughter Connie McCafferty in 2006, her parents, one sister Pauline Edmistion, four brothers Russell, Roscoe, Robert and Richard, and two son in laws Reverend Estell Kauffman and Paul Light.

Visitation will be held on Sunday January 19th from 1-4pm at the Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer.  Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1pm at the Pioneer United Methodist Church with Reverend Michael Raypholtz to officiate.  Interment will follow at the Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer.  Memorials can be made to the Pioneer United Methodist Church.