Gladys V. Miller

Gladys Miller went home to be with her Lord and Savior early in the morning on March 2nd after contracting the flu in early December, which led to secondary illnesses, then organ failure. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, friendship and "sunshine" to all she met.

Born Lillian Viola Gladys Horstman on March 5th 1916 to Bessie Belle (Rhead) and Jesse Henry Horstman of Williamston Michigan, Gladys attended Williamston Community Schools and graduated in 1934. She excelled in music, English, vocal and violin abilities and had aspirations to use those talents. Miss Horstman dreamed of becoming a singer, actress or famous dress designer but instead used those talents through the years to help others greatly and bring joy.
During her high school years, she started hairdressing, then went on to further her education at Jackson Business University. She then began at the Jackson Michigan plant of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where she met her future husband, Virgil Leroy Miller of Akron Ohio.

Gladys was a long standing member of Calvary Baptist Church on White Pond Dr. in Copley. Mrs. Miller used her God given talents in many ways, teaching children's Sunday school and furthering the Lord's work in any way she could. She was a member of Eastern Star (Elva Chapter); enjoyed working at election polls and later as Presiding Judge. She devoted many hours to PTA work and being an active Room Mother. She also did volunteer secretarial work at City Hospital during and after the war. Gladys' fun activities included traveling, dancing, a good game of Canasta, Bunco, Bridge or Euchre and playing board games with her children, being with her grandchildren and enjoying friendships of close friends.

An excellent and accomplished seamstress, sewing was fun. She made most of her children's clothes along with her own, did other sewing crafts and helped neighbors with their sewing challenges. A good way to describe Gladys was, "She never really knew a stranger, just a friend she hadn't met yet."

Gladys leaves behind devoted daughter and best friend, Karen(Gary) Arnold; devoted loving son, Brian (Charlotte) Miller; devoted adoring younger sister, Violet Lentz; and devoted younger brother, LeRoy (Mary) Horstman; darling grandchildren, Aubrey, Justin and Cathryn; nieces, Janice, Diane, Angela and Denise; nephews, Lars, Eric, Larry and Garry. She was preceded in death by Virgil, her husband of 46 years, in1987; their daughter, Claudia Cheryl, 47 ½ hours old, in 1949; as well as her sister, Alta (John) Mertz; and brothers, Floyd R. (Reah) Horstman and Harold H. (Margaret) Horstman.

Gladys was a devoted Christian. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior many years earlier. A loving and caring mother, dedicated wife and a beloved sister, her family was always at the center of her love and life. Her beautiful sweet smile, caring and thoughtful ways and loving heart will be so missed by all.

The family wishes to thank Pastor Douglas Shoup, Ted Hyatt, Pastor Aaron Furman and Barbara Campbell and all others for their very dedicated, faithful and uplifting visits through the years. Those visits were so precious to her!

Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 5th from 5-7 p.m. at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Services will be Wednesday, March 6th at 11:00 a.m. with a calling hour ONE HOUR prior to the service at Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Aaron Furman officiating. Interment will take place in Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairlawn, Ohio. Gladys has asked that contributions be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 820 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio 44320. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)