Gladys Katharine Hefner

Maitland - Gladys Katharine Hefner, 93, formerly of Maitland, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 21st in Loveland, Colorado at a health care facility.

She was born in Eagleville, Missouri on August 27, 1913, the daughter of Emery and Maggie Susan (Mumma) Wiley. Her parents and two brothers, Leo and Ray Wiley, precede her in death.
She attended elementary school in Eagleville. She then moved to Maitland and graduated from high school while living with her brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Lela Wiley.
In 1935, she married Floyd Hefner, also from Eagleville. They resided in Maitland for most of their 52 years until his death in 1988. Gladys continued to live in Maitland until 2005 before entering assisted living in Maryville. She then moved to Loveland, Colorado.
Music was a large part of her life. She taught piano and organ lessons for many years, sharing her love of music with hundreds, possibly thousands of adults and children. Gladys had a teaching studio in Maryville. At the height of her teaching career, she had over 50 students per week.
Gladys was also a professional musician and performed with her group for over 12 years. The Gladys Hefner Trio, fronted by her husband, Floyd Hefner, played all over the region, for all kinds of events. The group often headlined local supper clubs and was a popular choice for weddings, anniversaries, and family reunions.
Gladys was a member of the Maitland United Methodist Church for most of her life. She started as a 16-year-old assistant pianist and remained a part of the church family as either the organist or pianist for almost 70 years.
Gladys also parlayed her love of music into a successful sales career, working for Bowman Music in St. Joseph, as an outside salesperson.
Although she battled health concerns late in life, these challenges never changed Gladys's optimistic and joyful view of life. She relished her time with friends and family and was known for putting out one terrific meal after another at her home in Maitland.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Jim and Peggy Hefner of Maryville, and Sharon and John VanOrman of Loveland, Colorado. Five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, numerous members of her extended family and a tremendous group of friends also survive her.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at the Maitland United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Maitland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Maitland United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Maitland United Methodist Church or Wolfner Library For The Blind, P.O. Box 387, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102.
Final Arrangements are entrusted to the Danfelt Funeral Home, 951 S. Main Street, Maryville, Missouri 64468.
Online condolences & tributes may be left by visiting www.danfeltfuneralhome.com