Gladys Clara Kopp O’Rear, 89, of Florence passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at ECM Hospital surrounded by her children following complications due to a recent injury. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Elkins Funeral Home. A rosary service will follow at 8 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Roy Runkle officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery, St. Florian.
Born on February 4, 1926 in New Ulm, Minnesota to the late Simon and Clara Kopp, Gladys was a retired Registered Nurse at both ECM and the former Shoals Hospital. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and an avid reader. Gladys also enjoyed cross-stitching, making over 30 pictures that are treasured by family members today.
Survivors include her children, Tom (Irina) of Tampa, Florida, Carol Sherer (Carl) of Muscle Shoals, Nancy Rhodes (Donnie) of Florence, Dennis (Judy) of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary Shak (David) of Lima, Ohio, Tim of Tampa, Florida, and Dan (Lisa) of New Port Richey, Florida; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Lester Kopp (Lee); sisters, Marilyn Schmidt (George) and Betty Karnowski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dalton, and son Michael Dalton.
Pallbearers will be Brian Rhodes, Kevin Rhodes, Wesley Sherer, Matt Sherer, Greg Shak and Jack Swaim.
Special thanks are given to Dr. Felix Morris and Dr. Robert Webb, the 5th Floor Nurses at ECM, and the staff at Merrill Gardens in Florence.
Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Building Committee.
