Gloria Janecek

Gloria Rose Victoria Janecek, 80, passed away Easter Sunday morning, April 16, 2006, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield, surrounded by her daughters.

Gloria was born October 23, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, to Fred B. and Anna G. (Seeberger) Witt. She and August William Janecek were united in marriage on June 24, 1944.

Gloria lived the first 50 years of her life in Illinois, including North Riverside,Cicero, Hinsdale, Brookfield, and Dolton. She moved to Missouri in 1975 to care for her aging parents, who lived in Tecumseh. When they passed away, she moved to Wasola, near her youngest daughter. Later, she moved to Springfield and lived at Franciscan Villa, where she made many friends. She spent the last 2 1/2 years of her life at Christian Health Care in Republic. She was a loving, caring, giving, and self-sacrificing person; her children were her greatest source of contentment and joy. In addition to being a dedicated mother and homemaker, she loved her church, music, singing, playing the piano, organ and guitar. She enjoyed family pets, all animals, birds, trees, flowers, being in nature, gardening and remodeling projects. She also worked at various jobs over the years as a secretary, waitress, nurse, church organist and Sunday school teacher. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by her four daughters, Jeneanne (Jeannie) A. Stritzel and husband, Kenneth (Ken), Lisle, Illinois, Catherine (Cathie) A. Fioravanti and husband, Anthony (Duke), Amboy, Illinois, Mary T. Bird and husband, James (Brad), Battlefield, Missouri, and Roberta (Bobbie) Gardner, Wasola, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Jeannette (Jenny) Kish and husband, Doug, William (Bill) Stritzel and wife, Kristen, Frances (Fran) Kopecky and husband, Kevin, Lydia Hartman and husband, Ken, James (Andy), Matthew, and Monica Bird, and Veronica, Austin, and Colton Gardner; eight greatgrandchildren, Asa, Kaileigh (Kaye), Cody, Katelyn, Ava, Anthony, Amber, and Kenny; two brothers, John F. Witt and wife, Joan, and Richard F. Witt; a number of nieces and nephews, and many other family and friends.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 20, 2006, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield, with Father Denis Dougherty, OSB, celebrant. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut. Visitation will be tonight, Wednesday, April 19, 2006, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home. The Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 p.m.

Online condolences can be made at www.hhlohmeyer.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The Kitchen, Inc., or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield.