Gloria Jean Hebenstriet's Obituary
Gloria Jean Hebenstriet, 88, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Via Christi Village.
She was born on September 23, 1936, in Chicopee, Kansas, the daughter of Theodore “John” Ricci and Nettie Mingori. A lifelong area resident, Gloria graduated from Cherokee High School.
On June 4, 1955, she was united in marriage to Ernest Louis Hebenstriet at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Chicopee. They shared 60 years together before his passing on July 11, 2015.
Gloria worked more than 30 years as an office manager for Simmons Gun Specialty in Springhill, Kansas. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and gave generously to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital throughout her life. She enjoyed shopping,reading, playing cards in Chicopee, baking, and was well known as a great cook. Above all, Gloria loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly.
She is survived by three children: Mark Hebenstriet and wife Cindy of Edgerton, KS; Patty Watson and husband Don of Weir, KS; and Kevin Hebenstriet and wife Jan of Edgerton, KS. She also leaves behind three grandchildren; Ethan Hebenstriet and wife Amber, Lindsay McNally and husband Matt, Mindy Proffitt and husband Daniel and six great-grandchildren; Conner, Landen, Reed Proffitt, Macie, Kinlee, Remington, and Colt McNally; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends who will miss her greatly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother Leonard Ricci, and a sister Marie Fleming.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, followed by visitation until 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chicopee Foundation; these may be mailed or dropped off at the funeral home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762.
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