GLADYS VIOLET JEANBLANC, 90, of Springfield passed away Friday, July 18, 2008 following a long term illness.

She was born May 23, 1918 in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, the daughter of Norwegian immigrant parents Hans and Ella Vinje.

Gladys lived in Springfield for 60 years. Recently, she lived in Karachi, Pakistan with her daughter Marcia Marie Haque who accompanied her on her last earthly travel home. She graduated from high school second in her class in 1936 and graduated from LPN School in 1963. She worked at Mercy Medical Center until her retirement in 1981. Gladys enjoyed her family, crafts with needlework, sculpturing, painting and collecting old jewelry and memorabilia. Anyone who knew her well will remember a kind and gentle heart and a hearty laugh.

In 1940, Gladys married Oliver Anthony Jeanblanc together they had three children; son, Laurance Jeanblanc of Springfield; daughter, Marcia and husband Rizwan Haque of Karachi, Pakistan and another son, Guy Jeanblanc and wife Judith of Gladstone, Michigan. Gladys had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with the third due shortly. She often visited her grandchildren Sabina, Maria and Shan Haque in Pakistan despite the difficulty of the trip. She visited her grandchildren Douglas, Gregory, Andrew and Laura Jeanblanc in Ashtabula, Ohio until her health began to fail.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1962; three brothers, Obert, Edwin and Albert and one sister, Ida.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008 from 10-11 am. in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Jim Christian officiating.

Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Burial Park.