Gloria Mary Eckley was born April 29, 1928, in Beavercreek, OR to Raymond and Mary (Duffy) Corless, the eldest of five children in the Corless family. She graduated from Oregon City High School, in 1945, then attended Oregon State College where she majored in Home Economics. Later, Gloria attended Chemeketa Community College.
Gloria married Benjamin F. Eckley Jr. on June 22, 1947, in Beavercreek OR. Gloria and Ben eventually made their home on a farm just outside Silverton, where they grew cherries and raised sheep. In Silverton, they also raised their five children. Ben and Gloria eventually moved to The Dalles, OR, for several years before settling in Woodburn about 20 years ago.
Gloria was a homemaker and worked on the family farm. She also worked for dress shops in Salem and The Dalles, and worked at the Wasco County Extention Office. Gloria enjoyed volunteering, and she and Ben spent 18 years traveling and doing work projects with RVICS and NOMADS. She was a member of the Woodburn United Methodist Church, OES, P.E.O., Farm Bureau and Grange. Gloria enjoyed needlework, reading, sewing, singing, poetry, swimming, ballroom dancing, traveling, and family outings.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, two children, James and Joseph, a sister, Sally, one granddaughter, Jacqueline Marie (Eckley) Smith, and one great grandson, Tyler Daniel Schick.
Survivors include her children, Stan (Mary Pat) Eckley of Tillamook, Keith (Corinne) Eckley of Keizer, and Diana (Kingsley) Kelley of Central Point, daughter-in-laws, D. Annie Ford of Silverton, and Lois Eckley of Tillamook. Also surviving includes her sisters, Barbara Droz of Beavercreek, and Linda Bohls of Myrtle Creek, and one brother, Michael Corless of Milwaukie. Gloria leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 12, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, in Woodburn. Private burial will be held at Beavercreek Community Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be given to the Woodburn United Methodist Church or CHIEF, 1644 E. Campo Bello Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85022 or Regeneration Reservation, P.O. Box 219, Fort Thomas, AZ 85536. Arrangements are in care of Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel.