Gloria Jean Hebenstriet, 88, Pittsburg, died peacefully Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Via Christi Village.
Born September 23, 1936, in Chicopee, Gloria was the daughter of Theodore “John” Ricci and Nettie Mingori. A lifelong area resident, Gloria graduated from Cherokee High School.
Gloria and Ernest Louis Hebenstriet were united in marriage June 4, 1955, St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Chicopee. They shared 60 years together before he preceded her in death July 11, 2015.
Gloria worked more than 30 years as an office manager for Simmons Gun Specialty in Springhill. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and gave generously to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital throughout her life. She enjoyed shopping, reading, playing cards in Chicopee, baking and was well known as a great cook. Above all, Gloria loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gloria was preceded in death by a brother Leonard Ricci and a sister Marie Fleming.
Survivors include three children Patty Watson and husband Don of Weir, Mark Hebenstriet and wife Cindy and Kevin Hebenstriet and wife Jan, all of Edgerton; three grandchildren Ethan Hebenstriet and wife Amber, Lindsay McNally and husband Matt, Mindy Proffitt and husband Daniel and six great-grandchildren; Conner, Landen, Reed Proffitt, Macie, Kinlee, Remington and Colt McNally; and nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends also survive.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 25 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial followed at Highland Park Cemetery. The rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chicopee Foundation; these may be mailed or dropped off at the funeral home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762.