Gladys F. Rodgers

Gladys F. Rodgers, 101, formerly of Indiana, PA, died on December 12, 2023, in McMurray, PA. The daughter of Wm. Lester and Martha Mae Fouse, she was born on June 20, 1922, in Entriken, PA. Preceding her in death was her husband of seventy-eight years, Donald Reed Rodgers.

She is survived by son, Donald (Charlotte) Rodgers Jr. of Lee, MA; daughter, Barbara (Darwin) Trahern of Venetia, PA; son, Richard (Ud) Rodgers of Charlestown, MA; and one brother, Gene (Maxine) Fouse of Boardman, OH. Also surviving her are her grandchildren Beth Anne Rodgers, Corine (Rick) Winfield, Nick (Amanda) Prothero, and five great grandchildren, Quincy and Louis Winfield, Ella, Beck and Finn Prothero, and many nieces and nephews.

She was born and raised in Entriken, PA and was one of eight children (6 boys, 2 girls). She graduated from Huntingdon (PA) High School and Thompson’s Business School in York, PA. She and Don met as children and were childhood sweethearts, where he would save her a seat beside him on the school bus. After high school, Gladys moved to York for business school and she and Don went through a period of separation. Don then moved to York to pursue a job. Their older sisters, who were best friends and lived in York also, played matchmakers and persuaded them to begin dating. Their relationship was rekindled, and they were married on January 31, 1942.

She followed Don to South Dakota for his military basic training (WWII), upon his enlistment. After he shipped out to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, she returned to Aliquippa, PA by train and began her employment at Koppers. There, she was secretarial support to twelve engineers and absolutely loved her job. During this time, she lived with a couple and babysat their children in exchange for her room and board. Because of Don’s service, she was separated from him for thirty-nine months. After Don was discharged, she went with him to State College, PA where she was secretary to the head of the physics department at PSU. Upon Don’s graduation, they moved to Indiana, PA where they resided for over 65 years.

Gladys was a very busy and industrious housewife and found time to be active with Newcomers, PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Indiana Garden Club, and the Indiana Hospital (IRMC) Women’s Auxiliary where she solicited pie donations for many years. She was also an avid bridge player and participated in 2-3 clubs for many years, plus Duplicate.

She was a woman of deep faith and gained her confidence from the relationship she had with Jesus Christ. She was a prayer warrior and desired for all her family and those she encountered to put their faith in God also. She taught Sunday School at Calvary and Graystone Presbyterian Churches. She also served as an Elder and as a Deacon at her beloved Graystone Church. She thoroughly enjoyed her Bible studies, Sunday School classes, and the PEP Club. Her favorite song was “Living for Jesus”.

A private memorial service is planned in August at the Entriken Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Graystone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 640 Church Street, Indiana, PA 15701.

Living for Jesus

Verse 1

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Verse 2

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Verse 3

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deaming each trial a part of my cross.

Verse 4

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Chorus

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;

My life I give, hence-forth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Words: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1917

Music: “Lowden”; Carl H. Lowden, 1915; arr. By Hymnary.org