Mrs. Carlson was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking and baking and was especially known for her pies. She also enjoyed knitting. Gloria was a faithful follower of Charles Stanley’s “In Touch Ministries.” For 22 years she and her husband Gene retired to Flagstaff, Arizona, where they enjoyed hiking, visiting national parks and dancing. She was an avid scrabble player and could be found most evenings with her bowl of popcorn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William T. and Clara L., nee Baker, Reed; and a sister, Judy Stoffer.
Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Owen Gene Carlson, whom she married on June 21, 1957;
two sons, Chris A. (Darice) Carlson, and Eric R. (Karen) Carlson;
a daughter, Michelle L. (Ron) Allen;
seven grandchildren, Nicole (Justin) Morgan, Maggie (Tyler) Breckenridge, Alexandria (Sam) Bennett, Alissa (Brian) Walsh, Hannah (Nicholas) Meredith, Ashley (Greg) Schloss, and Joshua (Kaylee) Carlson;
13 great-grandchildren, Cole Morgan, Josephine Morgan, Henry Breckenridge, Owen Walsh, Andrew Bennett, Riley Walsh, Jonah Meredith, Sloane Breckenridge, Genevieve Meredith, Reese Schloss, Daniel Bennett, Lincoln Breckenridge, and Dax Breckenridge;
and a sister, Julie Willis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.