Gladys Hartwig

METAMORA – Gladys Ruth (Hodel) Hartwig, 102, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Snyder Village in Metamora, Ill.

Gladys was born on the family farm in rural Roanoke on February 15, 1920, to John E. and Minnie (Gudeman) Hodel, the third of six Hodel children. She had many fond memories of her childhood and often talked of the hard work, but also the fun experiences she had with her family growing up. She graduated in 1937 from Roanoke Victory High School before moving to Peoria to attend Dickinson’s business school and then worked for G.F. Harvey Pharmaceutical Company and later, Wahlfeld Woodwork Manufacturing Company.

Gladys met the love of her life, Arthur Hartwig, at a dance at the YWCA in 1943. Art had moved to Peoria from Walla Walla, Washington to work for Caterpillar Tractor Company. They were married on February 12, 1944, and experienced countless blessings and joys throughout their 66 years of marriage. They lived in Germantown Hills for over 50 years and enjoyed another 14 years living in Morton. Art passed away on March 20, 2010. In 2012, Gladys moved to the Snyder Village retirement community in Metamora. Wherever she lived, she found kind neighbors and made many wonderful friends.

Gladys was a full-time homemaker after her marriage and was devoted to her family. She had learned to sew in high school and became a talented seamstress. She was a whiz with her trusty Singer sewing machine, and her children were often dressed in matching outfits. She also loved to knit, quilt, and do embroidery. She served as a room mother and brownie scout leader and in later years was a volunteer at Proctor Hospital. Gladys was a faithful member of Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, where she taught Sunday School for many years. In retirement, she and Art enjoyed traveling throughout the states, visiting family and friends from coast to coast.

Gladys was the last surviving member of her generation for both the Hodel and Hartwig families. She is survived by her three children, Lynne Snook of Dunlap, Susan (Paul) Reeb of Metamora, and John (Asayo) Hartwig of San Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren, Brett (Christine) Heintz, Marnie (Ryan) Harris, Matthew (Erika) Reeb, Andrew (Christina) Reeb, Lisa Hartwig, Sara (Stefan) Tuel, and Karen Hartwig; five great-grandchildren, Emma, Benton, and Ava Reeb, and Harper and Paige Harris. Other survivors include step-grandsons, Shawn and Jason Snook; and their children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Vincent and Warren (Slim) Hodel; her sisters, Viola Hodel, Audrey Rocke, and Shirlee Baer; her son-in-law, Garry Snook; and many beloved cousins, in-laws, and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022, at Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery in rural Roanoke. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 6915 N. Allen Road, Peoria, IL 61614 or Snyder Village, 1200 E. Partridge St., Metamora, IL 61548.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.