Gloria Jane Baumgart, age 94, of Gun Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2020 at Friendship Village Memory Care, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gloria was born September 18, 1925 at the Mt. Pleasant farm of her parents, Gerald and Minnie (nee: Robert) Rukenbrod. Gloria attended area schools, graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1943. Gloria was united in marriage to Rev. Jack Harmon Baumgart (Retired Michigan Conference Elder) on November 1, 1946. They remained happily married until his death in 1997.
Gloria was the devoted mother of Debra (Larry) Sims, Battle Creek; Barbara (Charles) Schneider, Reed City; Brenda (Loren) DeHaan, Cadillac; John (Duane Beach) Baumgart, Eaton Rapids; Martha Baumgart, Kalamazoo; James (Renae) Baumgart, Plainwell; Paul (Mary) Baumgart, Shelbyville; and Carol (Santo) Calderone, Battle Creek. Fourteen grandchildren, Matthew (Louisa) Sims, Ashley (Jeff) Merwin, Nikki Schneider, Julia Schneider, Dr. Sarah (Jin) DeHaan, Benjamin (Leigh Anne) DeHaan, Dr. Cameron DeHaan, Raquel (Josh) Owens, Brent Baumgart, Adrielle (Joey) VanDenBerg, Christopher Calderone, Marissa Calderone, Madison Calderone and Patti Owen were Gloria’s great joy. Gloria’s expansive love continued with the addition of thirteen great-grandchildren.
Gloria was a woman of great faith and a dedicated member of the Michigan United Methodist churches. Gloria and her pastor husband Jack served together in seven different churches in Michigan for thirty-one faithful years. After retirement, Gloria and Jack wintered in Florida for several years. Gloria enjoyed visiting antique shops, flea markets, and garage sales. Her special purchases were china pitchers and plates. She loved entertaining her family and friends at her Gun Lake home. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Margaret Mogg, brother in-law Keith Mogg and sister in-law Maxine Baumgart.
Gloria will be laid to rest at Denver Township Cemetery, Rosebush. Pastor Sean Kidd from Westwood United Methodist Church, Kalamazoo will officiate the private family service. Until we meet her again, we celebrate her life and miss her presence. Memorial contributions may be made to Leaton United Methodist Church.
Last Updated on July 6, 2020