Gladys M. Reifel, age 88, of Mishawaka, went home to be with the Lord at 1:20 pm on June 29, 2011 at her residence. Gladys was born August 18, 1922 to the late Elmer and Blanche (Frost) Chapman in Cass City, Michigan. Following her graduation from Ft. Wayne Bible College, with an Associates Degree in Missions, she married Arthur Reifel on June 2, 1945. They were married for over 62 years when Arthur passed away in 2007.
Surviving are her children, Connie (Keith) Gary of Mishawaka, Earl (Clare) Reifel of Grand Rapids, MI, Eva Mae Reifel (Colin Bayler) of Plymouth, IN, and Elmer (Joann) Reifel of Lakeville, IN. Also surviving are her sisters, Lila (Paul) Adams and Esther McLeish, both of Mishawaka, as well as 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Gladys was preceded in death by her brother James Chapman, her sister, Vivian Freshney and 2 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 10am Friday, July 8, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola.
Gladys served as a Missionary to Nigeria through the Missionary Church for over 43 years. She and her husband established a Bible school in Salka Nigeria, where she taught in the Bible School and worked in the dispensary for more than 30 years. Later, Gladys was a nurse at Hubbard Hill Estates, and delivered flowers for Simply Delightful Flower Shop in Osceola. From 1988-2007, she and her husband Arthur served as the visiting Pastors for the Bethany Missionary Church in Elkhart, and in her spare time, enjoyed crocheting and doing handwork, reading, and spending time with her family.
In lieu of flowers, the Reifel family encourages friends and family to make donations to the Art and Gladys Reifel Foundation, PO Box 2, Osceola, Indiana 46561, or donate online at www.unitedcharitableprograms.org program #101652.
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