Gloria Ann Byrnes

BYRNES, GLORIA (JOOS) Jesus called her name and it was time for her to go to her heavenly home. Gloria (Joos) Byrnes, 88, went to her Lord on June 24, 2011, at 12:25 pm after a long struggle with diabetes and arthritis. While visiting in Houston she suddenly became very ill and passed peacefully with her daughter, Michaelene, at her bedside. During her last days she was visited and cared for by her son-in-law and grandson, George and David Craddock, and her daughter and granddaughter, Diane Volk, and Stacy Neasham. Gloria was born to Roman and Josephine (Belgers) Joos on April 14, 1923, in Bay City and was a lifetime resident. In 1941, she was valedictorian of St. Joseph High School. On December 11, 1942, she married Michael Byrnes in New Orleans, Louisiana. The two had met at a dance for servicemen in Bay City where Mike's Navy ship was in port. They spent WWII together in San Francisco before returning to Bay City where Mike was a captain in the Bay City Fire Department. He preceded her in death on April 9, 1989. Gloria was employed nearly 30 years with Dow Chemical in Midland and retired in 1986 as a product specialist in the magnesium department. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and the Altar Society. An avid reader, she also enjoyed sewing, needlework, jigsaw and crossword puzzles until the complications of diabetes affected her eye sight. She was also an avid fan of the Lions and Pistons. Gloria is survived by daughter Michaelene, son-in-law George, grandson and wife David and Jen, grandson and wife Carey and Nicole and great-granddaughter Hope Craddock, all of Houston. Also daughter Diane and son-in-law Keith Volk of Phoenix, granddaughter and husband Stacy and Craig Neasham also of Phoenix, granddaughter and husband Shannon and Jason and great-grandson Gavin and great-granddaughter Gianna Volpe, all of Parker, Colorado. Other survivors include sister-in-law Dorothy Joos of Bay City as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded by her sister and brother-in-law Irene and Kenneth Toureau and brother Raymond Joos. The Funeral Liturgy and Rite of Committal will be celebrated Friday, July 1, 2011 at 12:00 O'clock Noon at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert J. Meissner with private interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. She has requested no flowers, however, if an expression of sympathy is desired, Gloria hoped donations be directed to the American Diabetes Association or Michigan Right to Life. Michaelene and Diane said their mother often expressed her appreciation of Dr. Gary Dardas and the doctors at the Bay Eye Care Center for their long-time compassionate care. The family would also like to recognize her good neighbors Don and Joyce Sargent and her friend Sue Kirchman for their kindness and help to her.