Gladys Ann Sandera

In Gladys’ words: I was born on Aug. 2, 1926 to William and Emily (Novak) Denemark at 26th and California in Chicago.  When I was 2 years old I moved to Stevensville.  I grew up on Marquette Woods Rd. I went to Stewart School and then to Stevensville High School where I graduated from in 1945.  I worked a telephone company on Wall St. for a few months but couldn’t stand being in one place with headphones on for hours taking calls.  Then I worked for Charles Morse, owner of Truscott Boat & Dock, where they made PT Boats.  I had my own car to drive and would go to pick up people at the airports and train stations and took them to Truscott.   On Nov. 26, 1947 I married Edward R. Sandera in Niles. (Who died Sept. 29, 1980.) We purchased a home next door from where I grew up on Marquette Woods Rd.  We raised our daughter Mary (David) Sundblad. We also had our step-daughter Sharon Sandera of Colorado. My grandson whom I love dearly, David II (Amaris), we had a lot of good times together. I also dearly loved my great-granddaughter, Mariah Gladys. I have been an active member of the Stevensville United Methodist Church for over 60 years.  During my life I have been past president of the American Legion Unit 568, and volunteered at the Berrien County Cancer Service, St. Joseph Lincoln Senior Center, The Soup Kitchen, and wherever I could help.  I enjoyed working and also feeding my birds and deer-Please keep an eye on them.   Please don’t grieve for me.  I’ve lived a full, wonderful life.  Even though I leave behind a beautiful wonderful family and many friends, I’ll again be dancing in the arms of my dear husband, Eddie, at the Red Fez Ball. (Gladys was also preceded in death by her step-son, Raymond Sandera; and siblings, Marion Shafer and William Denemark.)   In 1957, I went to work part-time at Emlong Nursery and Garden Center.  It turned into full-time.  I left there in 2001 when the Emlong closed the business.  I loved every minute of working.  We had such wonderful customers and the Emlongs were like my second family and still are today.   A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 11 AM at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., Stevensville, with Rev. David Hills officiating. Burial to follow at Lincoln Twp. Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 AM until the service begins at the church or on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with the Stevensville American Legion Auxiliary Ceremony starting at 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church, Berrien County Cancer Service, St. Joseph Lincoln Senior Center, Lincoln Township Library, Berrien County Shrine Club, or the Stevensville American Legion #568 Auxiliary. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.