Gladys Lillian Davis

Gladys Lillian Vandeveer Davis, 95, our precious mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, entered her eternal rest on March 14, 2024. Gladys was born on January 15, 1929, in Melrose Park, IL to Lillian A. Wunnecke Vandeveer and Glade J. Vandeveer. She married the one true love of her life, Loren “Gene” Davis, a WWII US Navy Veteran, on March 8, 1947. Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gene, her son, Duane Lee Davis, her Parents, her Brothers; Eugene Vandeveer, Harold Vandeveer and Lyle Vandeveer, and her Sisters; Lucille Brammer, Ruth Hogrefe and Marlene Shelton.

She is survived by her devoted children Daryl Gene Davis (Kathy) of Huntington Beach, CA, Vanessa Jo Lannert of Gilberts, IL, Cheryl Ann Smith (Gary) of Yorkville, IL, Rebecca Davis Mullins of Albuquerque, NM and daughter-in-law Colleen Davis (Duane) of Merritt Island, FL; her ten treasured grandchildren, Jared Davis, Matthew Davis, Carly Davis, Marisa Struyk, Lauren Lannert, Jacob Lannert, Michele Poreda, Angela Kemp, Kelsey Mullins, and Chloe Mullins; and her twelve cherished great children.

Throughout her life Gladys was a force to be reckoned with. She was set in her ways, a determined woman who fought for what she believed in. She was born during the Great Depression, experienced the global conflict of World War II, lived through a sinkhole encroaching her home in Florida, and was a breast cancer survivor. She was a full-time homemaker during her children’s formative years, then worked her way to becoming a Loan Officer at Oswego Community Bank when a banking officer was still a man’s world. She was an excellent cook, and made the best chicken and dumplings, picnic potato salad, divinity, and apple dumplings you ever tasted. She was inquisitive and loved to travel and experience the world around her. She kept every map from her National Geographic magazines and was in awe and appreciation of the grace and beauty of giraffes. She loved taking pictures of her important moments and important people with her disposable camera. If she loved you, she really loved you! If not, well....there’s that. She loved watching Erin Burnett on CNN, discussing politics with her democrat children, and arguing politics with her republican children! She loved her Chihuahua Kari, her best friend and companion, and spoiled the mess out of her!

We will miss her dearly, the sparkle in her beautiful ice blue eyes when she laughed, and the warmth we felt in our chest when she smiled.  May she rest in peace with her husband, son and other family members and friends who preceded her.

In Gladys’ treasured pictures and keepsakes, we found this typewritten poem, and share it here as her testament on life:

Every minute someone leaves this world behind.

We are all in “the line” without knowing it.

We never know how many people are before us.

We cannot move to the back of the line.

We cannot step out of the line.

So while we wait in line –

Make moments count.

Make priorities.

Make the time.

Make your gifts known.

Make a nobody feel like somebody.

Make your voice heard.

Make the small things big.

Make someone smile.

Make the change.

Make love.

Make up.

Make peace.

Make sure to tell your people they are loved.

Make sure to have no regrets.

Make sure you are ready.

Author Unknown