Gloria J. Formhals Obituary

Gloria J. Formhals

Peacefully passed away at Harbor Chase of Plainfield on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving family.

Gloria is survived by her two devoted children Joe (Ann Santoro) Formhals and Mary (Clarence) Vogel. Her legacy lives on through her four adoring grandchildren Nicole (Kendrick Davis) Formhals, Emma Vogel, Kate Formhals, and Tim Formhals. Gloria is also survived by her loving sister Barbara Gustafson.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Jesse L. Formhals (2021) and her granddaughter Jessica Mae Formhals (1999).

Born on December 18, 1933, in Marseilles, IL, to the late Albert and Florence Girardo, Gloria graduated from Marseilles High School and was very proud of her Italian heritage. She was the oldest of 5 children and respected the value of a hard day’s work from a very young age. She embarked on her career as a telephone operator at Illinois Bell Telephone and later dedicated her time at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. Her husband Jesse was her best friend, and they were blessed to have spent 62 wonderful years together. She took pride in her role as a mother and granmma and loved her family with everything. A faithful member of the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, Gloria found solace and strength in her faith, especially through her 20-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis.

Gloria enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren at every dance performance, basketball game, and drum recital as well as spoiling them with a sweet treat, especially a McDonald’s ice cream cone. She stayed young at heart and was always up to date with all the Hollywood gossip and fashion trends. She and her sister Barbara enjoyed their weekly outings to the movies and giving their honest reviews about the stars. Gloria was also a die-hard citizen of Joliet, reading the Herald News front to back every day and never missing a weekly city council meeting on tv. She and Jesse enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Delavan, Wisconsin with their family taking rides on their pontoon boat, swinging on the glider, playing UNO, and having outdoor movie nights. After moving into Harbor Chase Assisted Living, she became an avid BINGO player and enjoyed spending time with the other residents. We will miss her witty and sassy personality. We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.

Private funeral services for Gloria Formhals were held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory. Entombment was at Woodlawn Memorial Park, where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband.