Gloria Jean McElfresh

Gloria Jean McElfresh, age 79, of Rensselaer, Indiana, passed away on March 5, 2026. Born on June 20, 1946, in Rensselaer to Keith and Mae (Garling) Culp, she graduated from Rensselaer High School with the Class of 1964 and later completed cosmetology school. Gloria spent many years with the Rensselaer School Corporation, working in food service and earlier as a school bus driver, and she also dedicated more than two decades to White Castle Bakery.

A longtime member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Gloria found joy in a wide range of creative pursuits. She loved reading, baking, sewing, painting, reupholstering furniture, gardening, and crafting artificial floral arrangements and Christmas decorations. She generously volunteered her skills with Little Angel Gowns, transforming donated wedding gowns into clothing for babies. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family, especially playing games with her grandchildren and caring for those she loved.

Gloria is survived by her children, Mandy (Tom Branson) Miller, Rick (JoAnn) McElfresh, and Dennis (Samantha) McElfresh; her grandchildren, Clayton (Jessica) Miller, Connor (Lauren) Miller, Luke (Jori) McElfresh, and Logann (Ben) McElfresh; and her great-grandchildren, Charley Miller, Coleman Miller, Cain Miller, and Laken McElfresh. She is also survived by her siblings, Duane (Phyllis) Culp and Marlene (Larry) Pullin, and by her former husband, Robert McElfresh. She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Mae.