Gladys Mary Franz, age 97, a resident of Friendship Village in Schaumburg, IL, formerly of Addison, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was born March 25, 1914 in Chicago to Arthur and Helen Patterson.

She married Walter W. Franz on March 4, 1935. They raised three children in Elmwood Park where they were very involved with Elmwood Park Bible Church. Her passion in life was serving the Lord. She loved to teach God's Word and throughout her life she taught all ages and wrote many Christmas programs and poems that honored her Lord. She also directed children's choirs. Her life was characterized by giving and she influenced many lives through giving of her time and talents. She also served at Addison Bible Church and Medinah Baptist Church.

Gladys loved her family dearly. She is survived by three children, Richard (Genevieve) Franz of Downers Grove, Victor (Lorelei) Franz of Winfield, and Joyce Mason of Schaumburg, six grandchildren, Greg, Gary, Kevin, Keith, and Rick Franz and Becky Neu, 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002, her parents and three sisters and a brother.

A visitation will be held July 8, 2011 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to WMBI, 820 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL 60610.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.