Glory, Glory, Halleluiah! Gloria Lynn Knizacky, beloved daughter and sister, joined Jesus in heaven, on her forty-ninth birthday, December 26, 2024. Gloria was a blessing to all those who loved her! Our little angel on earth.

Gloria was born and raised in Free Soil with her parents, Francis (Fritz) and Lucy Ann, and her 10 siblings. Growing up on a dairy farm gave her a love for all animals, especially her beloved cat, Percy, and her dogs, Shadow and Beanie. Naturally, she became a 4-H member showing a variety of animals, eventually advancing to 4-H leader. She loved attending the fair, watching the animal shows, and cheering on her nieces and nephews.

Graduating from Free Soil High School and passing her driver's education class were highlights of her early years. An active member of Special Olympics for over 35 years, she participated in poly hockey, swimming, basketball, and bowling.  The late Bud Dodson was her coach and their teams were often District Champions, taking many trips to the State Finals. She was very proud of being the only one in her immediate family that could swim!

To know Gloria was to know her sweet nature, competitive spirit and love of family and friends.  She had an infectious joy of music and dancing.  After the passing of her father, Fritz, Gloria and her mom, Lucy, became quite a "team".  Supporting each other and working together on all their adventures.  They were inseparable, providing a source of strength to each other.

As a communicant of St. John Cantius, Gloria was a faithful altar server, often riding her bicycle to mass. Gloria loved to sing, and the church was the perfect venue to use her joyful voice and sing her heart out to her Lord and Savior. She spent many summers volunteering at the famous St. John Cantius chicken barbecue dinner and could always be found dancing up a storm to the polka band.  She was an active member of the St. John Cantius Rosary Society.

Gloria is survived by her loving mother, Lucy Ann Knizacky. She was the youngest of eleven siblings and is survived by her seven brothers Ted (Nancy), Paul, Matt (Brenda), Ben, Fabian (Vicki), Ed (Trisha), Jerome (Lynn) as well as three sisters Margaret (Alan) Snow, Theresa (John) Shoop, and Carol (Joe) Doyle.

She is preceded in death by her father, Francis (Fritz) Knizacky.

Mass of Christian Burial will be con-celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil, Michigan, with Reverend Daniel DePew and Reverend Dennis O'Donnell celebrants. Her final resting place will be next to her dad in St. John Cantius Cemetery also in Free Soil.

Relatives, friends and the members of the St. John Cantius Rosary Society, will pray the rosary on Friday evening, at 8:00 p.m. at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers please consider a mass donation to St John Cantius Church or to the Knizacky Family Scholarship through the Mason County Community Foundation.

Heartfelt gratitude to the Oceana Medical Care Facility staff for the wonderful care given to Gloria while she was a resident. She was chosen as Resident of the Month on two occasions. Her roommate, Valerie, was a dear friend to Gloria.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.