John E. Gladden (Lebanon)'s Obituary
John Elbert Gladden, son of Martin and Lois Porter Gladden, was born August 19, 1961, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He departed this life Saturday, May 9, 2015, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of fifty-three years, eight months, and twenty days.
His father preceded him in death.
John is survived by his mother, Lois Swigert, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Josh Gladden, and Isaac Gladden, both of Lebanon, Missouri; five brothers, Steve Gladden, of Bakersfield, California, Kenneth Gladden, of Lebanon, Missouri, Don Gladden, and his wife, Linda, of Fair Grove, Missouri, Ben Gladden, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Harry Gladden, and his wife, Katherin, of Lebanon, Missouri; four sisters, Marian Bradshaw, and her husband, Mark, of Bakersfield, California, Janice Caudle, and her husband, Keith, of Lebanon, Missouri, Judy Shelton, and her husband, Craig, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jean Loke, of Bakersfield, California; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in Southwest Missouri and attended Buffalo and Joel E. Barber Schools. He then made his home in Bakersfield, California for several years, where he worked as a cook for most of that time. He was very proud of being a cook and enjoyed that work very much. He later returned to Lebanon and made his home.
John had a good heart and was always willing to help others. He had volunteered at the food bank and enjoyed attending dinners at First Baptist Church.
He liked playing catch with children and enjoyed playing pool. He had cared for his aunt during her illness and was always good to his family. He had a delightful sense of humor and loved to laugh. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed having family time.
John was a loving son, father, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Memorial donations may be made to L-Life, and left at the funeral home.
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