Obituary of Gloria Jean Bodine-Yensch

Gloria Jean Bodine was born on June 29, 1950 in Monroe.   She was the youngest of two daughters born from the union of the late John and Cathleen (McDonald) Bodine.   Gloria graduated from Monroe High School in 1968.   She married Ronald Yensch at St. Joseph Parish in Maybee on November 6, 1970.

Gloria was blessed with the birth a of beautiful, bouncing, baby boy:  Derek, and she was devoted to him.   For many years she was employed as a laborer for Wolverine Plastics and later Ford Motor Company.   Gloria also had been employed in office administration for Sears and Ralph Thayer.   She would go on to further her education graduating in 1993 from Monroe County Community College with an Associate of Commerce Degree, and then achieved her Bachelor of Arts from Siena Heights University in 1996.

Gloria had a heart of gold, went above and beyond to help those in need.   She was the Founder and President of Monroe County Welfare Rights Organization.   To the neighbors she was the crazy cat lady, that took in all the strays.  

Gloria loved cooking and baking Christmas cookies.   She liked to spend time online and often chatted with her Penn Pal group for hours.   She enjoyed her soaps, liked to playing cards, scrabble, and bingo.

Gloria, age 68 of Monroe passed away at home on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 after a valiant six month battle with cancer.   She was surrounded by her loving family.   In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by a sister:  Gale Bodine.

To cherish her memory she leave her son and daughter:  Derek J. and Molly (Younglove) Hurst of Monroe; aunt:  Rose Benschoter; niece:  Kellie Bodine; nephews:  Scott and Robert Yensch, and Ramon Payne; great nieces:  Kayla and Kiera Bodine; great nephew:  Constantine; former spouse:  Ronald Yensch; close friends:  Carol Souva, Lynne “Snag” (Russell) Boudrie, Katrinka Goins, Donna Grundy, and Michelle Miller; a very special great-great niece:  Anaya Bodine (Johnson); great-great niece:  Robyn Benning; great-great nephew:  Jermaine Benning; and grandcats:  Chuck, Hank, and Lexy.

Friends may gather from 3:00pm until a Celebration of Her Life at 6:00pm on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185.   Reverend Frank Draganic pastor of Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the Monroe Humane Society.   Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.   The family expresses their gratitude to 3 South and the ICU at ProMedica Monroe Hospital.