Gloria Eunice Spangler

Gloria Eunice (Heiges) Spangler

Loving Wife, Mother, & Sister -

Gloria Eunice (Heiges) Spangler, 74, of Lewisberry, PA, passed away peacefully with her family by her side and holding her hands at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Hospital on the morning of June 14, 2018, following a long and truly courageous battle with bladder cancer.

The sixth of seven children born to the late Lincoln Victor Heiges and Annie Laura (Smyser) Heiges.  Gloria was a war baby and her mother gave birth at home on Trindle Road in Mechanicsburg on the afternoon of February 20, 1944, while her father was stationed in Germany during World War II.  She was more than half a year old before he first saw her.  Gloria’s childhood passions, history, the Battle of Gettysburg and gardening, would follow her into her adulthood.  Those all had been fostered by her uncles after her father's early passing.  Gloria graduated from Cumberland Valley High School in 1963 and attended beauty school where she earned her stylist certification shortly thereafter.  A blind date, set up by mutual friends, introduced her to the love of her life, Darwin William Spangler, whom she married on June 20, 1970.

In addition to her parents, Gloria is preceded in death by her two sisters: Dorothy Becker and Betty Weaver.  She is survived by her adoring husband of nearly 48 years, Darwin William Spangler; her daughter Kristen Ann Spangler of Lewisberry, PA; her three sisters: Charlotte Hess and her husband, Elvin, of Mechanicsburg, Sara Cunningham of Mechanicsburg, Beverly Sheetz and her husband, Jerry, of Senoia, GA; her brother John Heiges and his wife, Darlene, of Mechanicsburg; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and one great-great nephew.

Gloria worked for, among others, D&H Distributors and Korvettes department store in Camp Hill.  She taught Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg for over 30 years.  After she retired, Gloria dove headlong into historical study again, this time via ancestral research.  She enjoyed combing through digital records, interviewing relatives and chronicling her family's stories, amassing a vast archive in the process.  In addition to genealogy, Gloria loved singing, cooking, reading, travelling and spending time with her family, both immediate and extended.

All are welcome to join Gloria’s family at her graveside service on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s Cemetery, 4605 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; with Reverend Dr. Dennis Keller officiating.  Gloria’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Hoss’s Steak
& Sea House, 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, following the burial.  Cremation was private.

The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to Geisinger Home Health, UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Hospital, and Manor Care of Camp Hill for their wonderfully attentive and compassionate care of Gloria.

Contributions in celebration of Gloria’s life can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, www.Cancer.org/Involved/Donate.

Gloria’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Gloria’s full obituary, view her picture, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.