Gloria (Slavens) Vandaveer

Gloria E. (Slavens) Vandaveer, 79, of Shawnee, OK peacefully passed away Sunday evening at Integris Hospice House, Oklahoma City, OK. She was born March 15, 1940 in Jacksonville, IL, the daughter of George B. and Roberta M. Cummings. She grew up in White Hall, Illinois and graduated from North Greene High School. She obtained an English degree from Illinois College and upon graduation began her teaching career. She taught high school English, humanities and mass media at Jacksonville High School for 16 years. She married John H. Slavens on August 11, 1962 and they made Jacksonville their home until 1978 with two sons. They also lived in New York and Texas. In 1980, they moved to Shawnee, OK and settled into a life of work and community service. In addition to supporting and participating in numerous Mobil Chemical plant efforts and achievements, she was an active leader in many civic and social organizations. In 1991, they relocated to Luxembourg, Netherlands until they returned to the United States in 1995 and made Shawnee home again. As a 35 year resident of Shawnee, she worked diligently on her interests and on the interests of the Shawnee community; The United Way, Salvation Army, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Redbud Garden Club, the Shawnee Sew-n-Sews, PEO, SURGE, Shawnee Hospice, as well as many others. She enjoyed many "families" throughout the years, especially her Mobil and church families. She enjoyed gardening and excelled in cross-stitch, needle point and quilting, frequently working on multiple projects for months and then giving them away to family, friends and for good causes. She loved travelling, reading, chocolate and her most beloved pets. In 2004 she married lifelong Shawnee resident, Jack Vandaveer. They enjoyed 7 wonderful and fun years together traveling and enjoying family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Roberta Cummings; her husband John H. Slavens; a son, John H. Slavens II; many aunts and uncles; and husband Jack Vandaveer. Survivors include a son, Robert D. Slavens, Shawnee, OK; a brother-in-law Howard Slavens, Colorado Springs, CO; a sister-in-law Donna Slavens, Springfield Il.; Robert Neville, Hartford, Ct.; Also her two step-sons from her 2nd marriage, Rick and Gregg (Jayne) Vandaveer of OKC; grandchildren Matt (Jillian) Vandaveer, of Tulsa; Ross Vandaveer of OKC; Ben (Julie) Vandaveer of Norman; Gena Charries of Moore; Julie (Garry) Glover of OKC; Pat (Perry) Pierce of OKC; and great grandchildren Malcolm and Sydney Vandaveer of Norman; Henry Vandaveer of Tulsa; Loren (fiancé Austin Cookson) Glover of OKC, Rebecca (Richard) Lindsay of Pullman Washington; Jake Pierce of Dallas; and Hannah Pierce of OKC; great-great grandsons, Sam Waddle of OKC; and Tripp Lindsay of Pullman Washington.Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 22 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Walker Funeral Service. The family has designated St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army as appropriate memorials.