Gloria Hropvich, 88
DOVER, DE - Gloria Hropvich passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
Gloria was born in Lacrosse, KS in 1934, the fifth of nine children to the late Esther E. (Hanzlick) and Clifford L. Small. The family moved to Coshocton, OH on Gloria's sixth birthday, where she grew up. She graduated from high school in New Concord, Ohio.
Gloria was a lifelong soldier of The Salvation Army, and served as a youth leader and the Deputy Bandmaster of the Coshocton Corps. She was a solo cornetist and taught many young people to play brass instruments.
In 1971, she and her three children moved to Harrington, DE where she worked as a seamstress at Ace Dress Company, and later at General Clothing in Smyrna, DE. She was also a local artist, and owned the Woodside Gallery, a matting and framing business where she displayed some of her paintings, including oil paintings of the seven train stations of Kent County.
Gloria was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Charles Hropvich; her grandson, Joshua DeVault of Bangor, ME; and six siblings: Marjorie Bradford, Major Judith Small, Darlene Gilligan, Keith Small, Nancy Vanderbeek, and Linda Pellin.
She is survived by her two sons, Major Colin (and Brenda) DeVault of Manchester, NH, Kevin (and Nancy) DeVault of Hurleyville, NY; and a daughter, Major Beckie (and Andrew) Murray of Niagara Falls, NY; two sisters, Velma McCombs and Major Cathyrn Russell, both of Ohio; nine other grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Gilbert Howdershelt, who worked alongside her and her late husband for many years, whom she often referred to as her other son.
A memorial service will be held for Gloria and her late husband Charles Hropvich, who passed away in October 2022. Visiting hours will be held at The Salvation Army, 611 Forest Street, Dover, DE 19904 on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a service at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting memorial gifts to The Salvation Army in Dover.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com