Gloria A. (Knepp) Wicks

Gloria Ann Wicks June 17, 1925 - May 9, 2014 WALKERTON - Gloria Ann (Knepp) Wicks, 88, painter, teacher, singer, seamstress and accomplished sculptor, died on Friday, May 9, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, IN. She was born on June 17, 1925, in South Bend, IN, to the late Raymond and Laura L. (Hissong) Knepp. She was united in marriage on October 12, 1946, in South Bend, to James W. Wicks.

Gloria is survived by her husband Jim, two daughters, Bridget Bonham (Jack) of Indianapolis, IN, and Benedicte Wicks (Jay Aller) of Oakland, CA; two sons, James Wicks Jr. (Tom Malcolm) of Chicago, IL, and Peter Wicks (Daria) of Jacksonville, FL; four grandchildren, Mateyo and Kyle Bonham, Alexandra and Ryan Wicks; and sister, Carol Knepp of Walkerton, IN.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary John; and brother, Dean Raymond Knepp.

Gloria was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County. Gloria was locally sourcing our food years before it became popular, making amazing bread and butter pickles, beef and noodles and apricot tea rings we all loved. When the family moved to the country, she grew huge lush gardens of strawberries, vegetables and an orchard full of apples, cherries and apricots. She excelled at growing purple iris and yellow roses. She took fashion cues from no one. Her signature every day look was all hers: a denim shirt tied in front, her black corduroys and a big silver watch always paired with comfy shoes.

She despised phonies, know-it-all snobs, artists who used the word "artiste" to put on airs, eating unusual spices, and she could be downright "prickly" at times. She was stubborn, fearless and fun-loving. She did not hesitate to speak her mind and frequently did. She would sing around the house breaking into "St. Louis Woman" or "Bill Bailey" when the mood was right. "Carmina Burana" was her favorite opera. Whether making clothes for her children, working nights to support education costs, cleaning out a barn, raising chickens, picking apples, or baking bread,

Gloria was always a hard worker and a "Mom's mom." Her tireless efforts provided a wonderful home for her family and a positive influence on those who were privileged to know her. Gloria was also known for being resourceful, once driving the horse and buggy to see her eldest son graduate when the car broke down. One especially cold winter, she hitched a ride home during a snow storm on a freight train from Lakeville and drove Dad to his car in the sleigh when the roads were drifted shut. On occasion she even prepared road kill for dinner including a pet goose. (It was an accident.)

She was an art teacher with the South Bend Community School Corp., retiring after 15 years. She graduated from John Herron School of Art and was an active sculptor well into her 80s. Other than her family, her love of art had a strong influence in how she lived her life. Watercolors, ceramics, and sculpting were her artistic outlets, but her bronze figures were considered by many to be her best work, often drawing from themes in her life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be offered to the Gloria Wicks Memorial Scholarship at Fire Arts, Inc., 305 East Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana 46617. Condolences may be sent at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 15th, at the Wicks home in Walkerton.

Published by South Bend Tribune on May 25, 2014.

07/07/2023 EJS

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