Gloria “Glo” Janice Heuschkel, a devoted wife and loving mother, was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Frank and Harriett Dickson. She grew up alongside her brother, Frank, and sister, Glenna.
Gloria attended Oregon State University, where she earned a degree in Home Economics and Dietetics. It was there that she met and married Bill, beginning a lifelong partnership. After college, they moved to the Detroit area in Michigan for Bill’s career. Gloria worked at Montgomery Ward for three years before dedicating herself to raising her family. During this time, she also shared her love of music as a member of the Detroit Sweet Adelines.
In 1984, the Heuschkel family relocated to Grand Rapids. Gloria continued to nurture her children, sing with the Sweet Adelines, and open her heart and home to others—welcoming Junia, a Brazilian exchange student, during Emilie’s senior year of high school.
Tragedy struck in 1990 when Emilie passed away in an auto accident. Seeking to fill the void left by her daughter’s absence, Gloria and Bill traveled to Brazil and adopted Ariana, who was embraced with deep love as part of the family.
Gloria faced health challenges with remarkable strength and positivity. In January 2024, she suffered a major stroke and spent nearly seven months in recovery, determined to regain her independence. Most recently, complications following hip replacement surgery led to a second stroke, which ultimately caused her passing.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Bill; her children, John (Jody) Heuschkel and Ariana (Chris) Smith; her cherished exchange student, Junia Bethonico; and grandchildren Kelsey, Evan, and Landyn. She now joins her beloved daughter, Emilie, in eternal peace.
Gloria will be remembered for her resilience, warmth, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the magnificent paintings she created and the music she shared.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 24, 2025, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/gerstgrandrapids. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Pastor Judith Thomas will be officiating. Interment will follow at Cascade Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Foundation – The Heuschkel Family Fund in Memory of Emilie.
4 Responses
Glo was definitely an awesome individual. A loyal friend, caring and of course a sense of humor that would just suprise everyone with her sense of timing! She will be forever in our hearts.
Gloria’s storytelling and humor engaged many friends. She will be missed.
Gloria was a dear friend and generous member of Sweet Adelines. For a period of time she used her creative talents as costume chairman. I especially loved the Butterfly top for one of our costumes. Gloria is dearly missed.
Gloria was my favorite aunt and I was her favorite nephew (sorry, Frank Jr.)! She was so creative as an artist and was an incredible cook. I remember so many welcoming visits to Gloria and Bill’s home when I was a grad student at the University of Iowa. My family will miss her, but we will visit with her when we pray, when we dream, when we remember…. We love you, Gloria!