Gladys Graner Pence

Mrs. Gladys Graner Pence, 93, of Stronghurst, Illinois formerly of Terre Haute, Illinois passed away Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born June 6, 1918 in Burlington, the daughter of Harry and Mable Coslett Graner. She was first married to William Francis Odell. He preceded her in death. On August 27, 1944 she married William Henry Pence in Burlington. He died on May 16, 2002.

Gladys was a graduate of the Burlington High School and a graduate of the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria, IL. She worked in all three hospitals in Burlington, first doing private duty, later staff nursing. She also worked at the LaHarpe, IL Hospital. She had belonged to the Rainbow Girls, served on the Henderson County Election Board, the T.B. Board, American Cancer Society, was a member of the Carman Senior Citizens, the Terre Haute United Methodist Church, enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts, helping her husband farm and raise strawberries and raspberries, fishing from their cabin and traveling.

She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Elston and Sarah (James) Todd all of Terre Haute, one son Doug (Janet) Pence of Cuba, Missouri, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and one sister, Marianna Radden of Swansea, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, her son-in-law, Wayne Elston and her parents.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 31, 2011 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Pastor Jim Clayton and Benjamin Pence officiating. Burial will be in the Terre Haute Cemetery. There will be no formal family visitation but friends may call between 3:00 and 7:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established for the Terre Haute United Methodist Church or Oak Wood Estates of Stronghurst.