Gloria L. Connelly, 89 years, of Farmer, passed away Friday, April 29, 2016 at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice, Defiance. Gloria was born August 13, 1926 in York, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late John and Sally (Koon) Cole. She attended Steubenville Schools for the first 11 years of her education. She was a 1944 graduate of Bexley High School, Columbus, Ohio. She married David E. Connelly on September 18, 1948 at the Whitehall United Methodist Church in Whitehall, Ohio, and he preceded her in death on December 18, 2004.
Gloria was a devoted wife and mother, who took great pride in caring for her family. She also was the Farmer News correspondent for the Bryan Times, Defiance Crescent News, Sherwood Chronicle, Hicksville News-Tribune and the Edgerton Earth for over 40 years. Gloria also served as a Private Secretary for the State of Ohio Department of Public Welfare. Gloria was a member of the Farmer United Methodist Church, Farmer American Legion Post 137 Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as a Past President. She was also a Past President of the County Council of the Defiance County American Legion Auxiliary. Gloria was a member of the Farmer Bridge Club for 50 years. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for 25 years, serving at the Fairview Blood Drives. Gloria enjoyed playing cards, traveling and had the reputation of being an avid Fairview Apache basketball fan as well as an Ohio State University Buckeye fan. She also followed the NFL and the Professional Bull Riding Circuit.
Surviving are her three children, Susan L. Oskey of Farmer, David L. (Stacy) Connelly of Dublin, Ohio and James A. (Nancy) Connelly of Farmer; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Kent) English of Ney, Matt Oskey of Farmer, Sarah (Shawn) Phillips of Mark Center, Craig (Crystal) Oskey of Bryan, Brett (Paige) Connelly of Cincinnati and Erin (Jeff) Cockayne of Arlington, Virginia; nine great-grandchildren, Darius and Kaemon Oskey, Cain Pearson, Everley Phillips, Eli Phillips, Lelah English, Brett Emerson Connelly Jr., Edmund McAbee Connelly, Max James Cockayne; two nephews, Charles Loretta of California and Bill (Marie) Loretta also of California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, David and three siblings, Helen Loretta, Harold Cole and Louise Curl.
Visitation for Gloria L. Connelly will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. Funeral services for Gloria L. Connelly will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, Lynn Street Chapel, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, with Rev. Ron Adkins III officiating. Interment will follow in Farmer Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial donations be given to Farmer United Methodist Church, Farmer American Legion Post 137, Fairview Athletic Boosters or the Fairview Schools Fund.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com
