Gladys Ann (Payne) Burns, 85, of Marion, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 14, 2024. She was born in Sullivan, Indiana, to Hobert and Ruby (Walters) Payne on April 4, 1939. She graduated from Marion High School in 1957 and attended Marion College (Indiana Wesleyan University). She was a member of College Wesleyan Church and volunteered at Gilead Ministries.
Gladys married her high school sweetheart, Richard Lee Burns, on December 26, 1959. After a short time in Milwaukee, they moved to Marion to be surrounded by family while raising their daughters. After many years of happiness, Richard preceded her in death in 1992.
Gladys owned and operated a Dairy Queen and held jobs at Marion Paving, College Wesleyan Church, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Her life’s most important work was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her daughters but was convinced she had the best grandsons on this earth.
Through her many physical challenges, she was able to remain strong and faithful. When she made the decision to move to Wyndmoor Assisted Living, she became an active part of the community and developed many deep friendships with both staff and residents. She enjoyed participating in Bible study, games, music, and other activities.
Gladys is survived by her daughters, Leeann (Lenny) Peters, Judy (Mike) Powell, and Cara (Chris) Oliver; grandsons, Josh (Lisa) Peters, Gabe (Tara) Peters, Cory (Katie) Powell, Luke Oliver, and Caleb Oliver; great-grandchildren, Isabelle Peters, Jackson Peters, Benjamin Peters, Carson Peters, Greyson Peters, Maelynn Peters, Hudson Powell, and Blake Powell; sisters, Becky Lynch, Carolyn (Dave) Haynes, and Marlene (George) Mueller; and many special nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws, Everett and Lucile Burns; brother, Frank (Bobbie) Payne; sister, Martha (Edwin) Meyer; brother-in-law, Jack (Marydee) Burns; and sister-in-law, Sue Sprinkle.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. Immediately following the time of visitation, a funeral service to celebrate Gladys’ life will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Ethan Linder officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the activities fund at Wyndmoor of Marion, 2452 W. Kem Rd., Marion, IN 46952.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys, please visit our floral store.