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Gloria Frankel Obituary
SOUTH BEND - Gloria Frankel was born to Mary (Dolly) Sibert in Columbus, Ohio April 15, 1940. She resided in the Michiana area her entire life. Gloria was a well-respected hard-working woman having many careers in her lifetime, including driving cab and owning a janitorial service. In 1974, she opened the Seahorse Cabaret. Gloria was the first club owner to challenge the City of South Bend, for approval of same sex dancing. She was a grassroots motivator for gay and lesbian rights. Gloria was recognized by the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, for 20 years of dedicated service to the gay and lesbian community in 1997. She was a staunch advocate and supporter of the AIDS Ministries since its inception. Gloria was a very wise, intelligent business woman, but mostly she was a friend to all who needed her. She never hesitated to help others with her strength, wisdom or humor. Gloria lived and ended her life HER WAY! Gloria's slant on life was, "Remember the good times for they far outnumber the bad". The community will certainly miss her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary (Dolly) Sibert and her companion, Miss Karen Beck. Gloria is survived by her companion, business partner and most trusted friend, Michael Quinn; and by her friend and caregiver, Sherrie Thrasher, and her beloved dog, Sadie. Visitation will be held at Zahoran Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m. Friends are welcome to join us for a celebration of Gloria's life at the Seahorse/Club 1902 immediately following the visitation. Donations may be made to the AIDS Ministries in Gloria's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gloria Frankel
Sponsored by Karen Kravig.
Brian Holdeman
August 1, 2018
I remember Gloria as a super nice lady. She was always looking out for me whenever I'd come to the Seahorse. I loved listening to her tell her stories and sharing her wisdom. Sleep with the angels
taz
December 4, 2014
RIP Glo miss the good times
Me and my 2nd grandaughter in 2010
nancy friend
October 17, 2013
Gloria, Since I found this web site in your honor and have read all the wonderful comments about you it just brings back my memories of you so long ago. You were so loved by so many and you never changed. I love reading all the wonderful comments about you. I'm sorry you had to leave so soon.
nancy friend
October 16, 2013
I am so overwhelmed to see that Gloria has passed. I come from the real early days, early 60s and I knew Gloria when she was with Cris. I just happened to google her and was shocked to see she is gone now. If not for Gloria there would not have been a place to let loose and be yourself in a very conservative state. Whatever she set her mind to she made it happen. She will always be remembered for her loving and giving ways and will be sorely missed.
Frank Green
December 23, 2012
Gloria its been 5 years now since u have gone,we have not forgot you every Dec I think of u its was always your Anniversary month for the bar,that was the last time I stayed with you in 2005 for Anniv nite the next morning I left for the airport and set the alarm system off!!we had a good laugh over that..miss u very much and love u more....FranCene aka Frankie Green
Glenn
March 1, 2008
What a shock, I just found out.
Gloria you were there for me so many times I can't count. You were a great friend, great boss, and wonderful role model. You will be greatly missed.
I'll make sure I'm stuffing sauerkraut in someones mouth at Midnight on New Years forever in tribute to you.
Rest in Peace our Angel and keep an eye on all of us.
Cecilia "Chella" Garber
November 9, 2007
I just heard the news today. Glo, you never discriminated - you were so loving and accepting no matter what. Thank you for that special, unforgetable time I spent at The Seahorse. May your legacy of advocacy and love live on!
October 31, 2007
"the good times"
October 30, 2007
October 29, 2007
Kelly Joe
October 26, 2007
Good nite my love... pleasant dreams...
Sleep tight my love... for tomorrow is...
Sunny and bright and draws you closer to me...
Gloria, you sweetheart... Gave me my first chance to mix music with Marty and Timmy... Those were the days my friend... I love you... KJ
Marissa Goepfrich
October 20, 2007
Aunt glo...well this is hard to say goodbye espically when i know youre still here i cant thank you enough for all the times you helped out my mom (lisa) i just hope you know that you will be FOREVER missed but NEVER forgotten love you aunt glo and give aunt karen a big kiss for me!!
SHARON
October 17, 2007
GOSH....NOT SURE WHAT TO TYPE...YOU WERE AN AMAZING WOMAN TO SAY THE LEAST...YOUR LEGACY WILL CONTINUE ON... GOD LOVE YOU,GLO AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP,COMPASSION,AND WISDON. PEACE TO YOU.OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE W/ YOU MICHAEL, SHERRY, AND NANCY..AND THE WHOLE GANG!! SHARON AND CINDY
Laura Slinkard
October 17, 2007
I have spent the night upstairs at your place, in 1990-91...making a ham sandwich without mayonaise...marilyn says to me.. Glo has mayo.. "I am sure". the nights we had dancing and my mom there and my beginning to all of this was the best fun time I can remember. I am now 40... see you sooner than you think! and don't forget you always knew us...there is a group. You'll know us when we get there.
Richard Nyers
October 15, 2007
Gloria, thanks for being a fearless trailblazer. You've provided some great memories. I am honored to be part of your family and "family". Be with God.
LAURIN SCHAPHORST
October 15, 2007
GLO
YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR
COMMUNITY. I KNOW KAREN AND THE OTHERS WERE WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS. YOU WILL BE MISSED FOREVER. I FEEL SORRY FOR THE YOUNG ONES WHO WILL NEVER KNOW THE GODMOTHER OF OUR LIFESTYLE. NANCY YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS!!!
Vicki St.James
October 14, 2007
Glo, Thank you for all you did for me. I will always remember you for the wonderful things you gave the community. I loved staying with you and Karen...It was always a second home. Being your Miss indiana Continental meant so much to me...I only have good memories I love you Vicki St.James
Jay Spence
October 14, 2007
Gloria,
How to say thanks for the many gifts you gave to me and all your beloved friends. How time has passed, but I will always remember your welcoming arms when I last saw you at anniversary last year. You've left a real dent in all our lives and hearts.
Karen
October 13, 2007
Rest easy Glo. Tell Karen I said hi. Know that you will forever live in our hearts. Til we meet again...
mike quinn
October 12, 2007
Robert Stewart
October 12, 2007
Gloria - You will be missed tremendously! - I love the impact you have made on my life - Even though I did not get back to South Bend often enough after I moved - I still thought about you - Still will -
Aaron And Frank
October 11, 2007
You will be missed by everyone. RIP
Mark Porman
October 11, 2007
Remembering The Day's... Gloria, You will be Greatly Missed. Doing Show's was a Blast. Getting to know you. And just being a Friend.. Love Always... Rest in Peace. Till we Meet Again. Jovan Francis
vickie gabbard
October 11, 2007
Courageous and smooth to the end, Glo. A huge part of your legacy is that nobody could tell you what to do or when to do it. Thank God for your life's lessons taught by your example. I'll see to it the "50 year cane" is passed on to the right person. Farewell, my friend, and save me a seat at the bar! "gabby"
October 10, 2007
RIP glo we love you and will miss you dearly
mark and christine
James (Roger) Atkins
October 10, 2007
Gloria I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me as a young gay man just coming out. Over the last 20 yrs you have help me out in more way than can be imanged
christina
October 10, 2007
Even though I did not know you as well as many did, you influenced my life. Thank you for strieving for equal rights in our community and giving me a place to go to be myself. Now rest in the arms of your loved ones who have gone before you knowing you will be missed and loved by many here always. Some day we shall all join again. We will continue to celebate your wonderful life with tears of joy and with the knowledge that you are at peace.
John Callas
October 10, 2007
Gloria,
May peace come to your soul as you know the people you have touched in your lifetime. You were the shinning beacon that assisted a generation in knowing that "it's OK" to be yourself. Find love with all your friends in that special place and for your family...
Greg Simpson & Greg Langel
October 10, 2007
Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ~
renee edwards
October 9, 2007
glo
you have always been a great influence to me. i remember growing up as a child and knowing that you would be part in my life when i came out. thank you so very much for being here not just for me but for the whole gay community. to me you were the god father of our FAMILY. rest in peace my mentor you were my strength love always my friend.
HONEY BROWN
October 9, 2007
GLO, YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED! YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHA I LOVE AND THATS ENTERTAIN PEOPLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY SWEET MUSIC MAN!!!!!!!!!
Dian ( Monkee
October 9, 2007
I can't even begin to tell you how much you will be missed,I see you with all our friends and family catching up on everything ,we will all meet again some day .
God Bless you Glo
Deb Wright
October 9, 2007
Because of you I have lots of great memories
Brenda Zook
October 9, 2007
Gloria, Thank you so much for being there for us all of the years, and the kindness you showed to so many. What a wonderful place you provided for our community filled with love,hope,and family. I will remember you and your spirit always.
Windi
October 9, 2007
Glo you will be deeply missed by everyone. I know that the people you have left behind will never let your memory die. They will keep alive as if you wee still with us. May you rest in peace with Karen, your mom, and Garbo. We love and miss you deeply.
Kirk Edmondson
October 9, 2007
You have been my friend for 33 years, since the first time I did a show back in the day, when me, Jim, Tony. (Better known as Tessa Sue, Fi Fi, and Jackie Summer).I have such wonderful memories of the good times, especially when I was Miss Seahorse 1978, and got to spend Gay Pride in Chicago with you and the gang. I know God is waiting with open arms, God Speed my old friend..Till we meet again. May you Rest in Peace.
Lisa Fisher
October 9, 2007
In the fall of 1970 you took me in and gave me a place to sleep till Mom & I could work out our problems. I'm sorry I never told you what an influence you were in my life. Thanks for always being there. Love Lisa Hockman Fisher
Tami Lupa
October 9, 2007
"Glo"...With each memory, our hearts will always be reminded of all the "Love & Warmth" you showed us...You are our "ANGLE"!
Tami & Eric (So. Bend, IN.)
Shawn Niblick
October 9, 2007
Franko!!
You will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. You were so warm to the families of the friends we have lost throughout the years. May you join Karen, Jerry, Trash and the rest of your extended family in god's arms. Gloria made us all believe within the power of a dream is the power to make it come true!! Follow your heart and your dreams will come true. May Franko's family find peace in her rest.
Joy Schmitt
October 9, 2007
Gloria,
You will always have the undying gratitude of so many like me for whom you so generously provided a safe haven during times when they were hard to come by. I feel as thow you raised us all and were a constant in our lives when not much else was. Thank you my friend.......until we meet again...we will all miss you.
Pat Wharton
October 9, 2007
You have done so much for the gay community and for me.You were there when I didnt know where else to go .You were a mentor and a friend to me .And gave that nickname that you always called me when I would come and see you. I remember the last time I saw you we talked about all the friends we had lost and now it is you my friend .
May you rest in peace
Animal
Pat Wharton
Mesa AZ
Missy Adams
October 9, 2007
Our prays go out to Glora and our "ole school" community...
After 10 years together Me and Janna still remember back to the night we met at the seahorse and the great shows of Bradley and Love crew!!
Thank you Glo for the memories!!!
Missy and Janna.
Jessie Salazar
October 9, 2007
Her Journey Has Just Begun
Don't think of her has gone away,
Her journey has just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
this earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting,
from the sorrows and the tears.
In a place of warmth and comfort,
where there is no pain and fear.
Think how she must be wishing,
that we could know today.
How nothing but our sadness,
can really pass away.
And think of her as living,
in the hearts of those she touched.
For nothing loved is ever lost,
and she is loved so very much.
Our deepest condolences -
The Family of Jessie Salazar
Pat Snyder
October 9, 2007
Glo , what a wonderful person and friend you were to all . You will be so missed . Will always remember all the fun times we had togather . Thank God no more suffering for you .
dawn chaney
October 9, 2007
you were a good friend to alot of people.thanks for being there when you could.we all will miss you.
mb
October 9, 2007
There is a raucous party going on in heaven this week, along with a few fierce games of Eucre.
Jim Beam is flowing in a nearby stream and many old friends are playing side splitting pranks on one another.
You were an icon and a true force of nature.
I will miss you always.
Lee & Lotta
October 9, 2007
Gloria was a true GEM. From the first time we met, she welcomed us both as family. We will truly miss the special friendship she showed to both of us.
John and Sherri Harper
October 9, 2007
You will be greatly missed. Our love to everyone who has cared and loved Gloria during her struggles these past few years.
Joyce Krugman
October 9, 2007
Oh, my Lifetime Friend, you will be sorely missed. We will all be together again soon - healthy, happy and pain free. What a GLOrius day that will be. Thank you for a lifetime of memories. Becky and I love you, Darlin'...
Krug
Karen & Barb
October 9, 2007
You were such a good friend Glo and
you will always have a place in our hearts.
You and Karen were always there for us and
anyone who needed help or advice.
Now you are with Karen again...may you rest in peace.
Michelle Howard
October 9, 2007
My heart goes out to the whole community.
Tears for the pain of losing a friend, but a smile knowing she suffers no more.
Jill Sweeney
October 9, 2007
Gloria was a beautiful person and beloved friend. We will all miss you Gloria and we love you!! You did so much for me!! I will never forget you my friend!
Frank Green
October 9, 2007
I will miss you my dear friend,Ive known you 30yrs and will love and remember you the rest of my life.God speed Gloria with much love always and forever your friend Francene
Julia Knight
October 8, 2007
Gloria will be missed by so many people! She touched so many lives over the last 30+ years! Her dedication to the LGBT community will never be forgotten!
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