Gloria J. Vaughn

Gloria Jean Vaughn, age 74, of New Philadelphia, entered her Heavenly reward early Monday afternoon, from her home, surrounded by her family. Born at Castalia, OH, October 11, 1936, she was a daughter of the late John Leo and Esther Saxer Lester. While still a young child, her family moved to Sandusky where Gloria attended Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School, before graduating from Sandusky High School with the Class of 1954. Her first and only job outside of her home was in the office of her aunt, Bernadine Lester, who served as Erie County Clerk of Common Pleas. In 1956, she met and fell in love with Joe Vaughn, who had recently moved to Sandusky from Dover. A year later, on June 22, 1957, the couple wed, and embarked on an idyllic journey that would span fifty-four years, five children, and three states. Within a short time, Joe’s career in broadcasting had the newlyweds relocating to Detroit, Michigan where Gloria became active in church events, and volunteering in activities related to her young family. In 1974, the family relocated to Berkley Heights, New Jersey, a short drive from New York City where Joe worked with ABC Radio News. Gloria and Joe watched as their children graduated high school, and embarked on their own adventures from New Jersey, and in 1998, upon Joe’s retirement, the couple made a final move, to New Philadelphia, near Joe’s hometown of Dover, and not far from Gloria’s family in northwest Ohio. In retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling to see their families, and attending church at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Gloria enjoyed participating in local bowling and golf leagues.Gloria will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother by her husband of fifty-four years, Joe Vaughn of New Philadelphia, and three surviving children and their families; Linda Marie (husband, Bruce) Thornton of Hockessin, Delaware, Joseph Vaughn, Jr., of West Dummerston, Vermont, and Sharon Denise Vaughn and her husband Dean Hammond of Brigham City, Utah. She’ll be missed by her four grandchildren; Kaitlin Talley Thornton and Patrick Vaughn Thornton, and Gloria Margaret Hammond and Bernadine Grace Hammond. A daughter-in-law, Shelby Vaughn, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, and a sister, Margaret “Peggy” (husband, David) Kuhl of Milan, Ohio, completes the family.In addition to her parents, Gloria is preceded in death by two sons, Michael Charles Vaughn who died in 2004, and an infant son, John Patrick Vaughn, in 1961. An infant sister, Mary Katherine Lester and a brother, Earl Lester are also deceased.Friends are invited to call Thursday afternoon from 4 Â? 7 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Christian Wake Services will commence at 6:40. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial Friday morning at 10 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Cremation will follow Mass, and a reception will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. Private inurnment will follow at Dover Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 525 North Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 Third Street NE New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622. Linn-Hert-Geib (330) 343-5506 www.geibcares.com