Gladys Marie Painter

Gladys Marie (Emerick) Painter, 80 years old, passed away at home on December 2, 2023.

Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Earl B. & Eliza Jane (Craze) Emerick, the tenth of eleven children. She grew up in State Hill and was a graduate of Wilson High School. In addition to her favorite role as wife and mother, she held several jobs over the years, including one she loved as a Psychiatric Aide at Wernersville State Hospital, from which she retired in 2007. Gladys was the loving widow of the late Edward L. Painter, who passed away on November 27, 1997 and a devoted mother to daughter, Colleen. They built a family life together in East Reading and enjoyed many years with a neighborhood of friends. She lived in her family home for 58 years before moving just weeks ago to a lovely spot in Wernersville in October.

Gladys never met a stranger. Conversing with people was her favorite activity, particularly if she could share an encouraging thought from the Bible and bring hope to anyone needing comfort. Her favorite place to be was at the Kingdom Hall with her spiritual brothers and sisters, but she was grateful for Zoom in the past few years. She belonged to the Reading Central Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses before recently moving to the Womelsdorf Congregation.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Colleen, Wernersville; her siblings:  Helen Rhoads, Brandon, FL; Mary Jane Ohlinger, Fleetwood; James, husband of Etta Emerick, Lutherville, MD; and many dear nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings – Earl, Jr., Dorothy Fix, Frances Bergman, Leon, David, Paul, and Caroline Emerick. She will also be sorely missed by her cats, Cody and Sasha.

Memorial Service will be held at Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory 3825 Penn Ave. Sinking Spring, Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm.  Brother Perry Allen will officiate.  Interment will take place at Forest Hills Memorial Park at the convenience of the family.  The family will receive relatives and friends at Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Live Streaming will be available and the family request that they be contacted in order to provide details.   Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com