Gloria J. Maringer

Gloria Jeanne Maringer (nee Rudowicz), 75, of Marblehead, Ohio, died March 31, 2025, at Edgewood Manor in Port Clinton, Ohio.

She was born on July 8, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, to Patience (Caldwell) and Arthur Rudowicz. She was raised in the suburb of Lincolnwood, Illinois, fondly frequenting the museums of Chicago and the beaches on Lakeshore Drive on Lake Michigan.

She graduated from Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois. Afterward, she moved with her family to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended Tri-State College of Medical Arts and the University of Cincinnati and became a laboratory technician.

She worked almost 20 years as a laboratory technician at William Booth Memorial Hospital in Covington, Kentucky, Providence Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Defiance Hospital in Defiance, Ohio.

She had an adventurous spirit – surfing in Hawaii, climbing Pike's Peak in Colorado and riding her beloved Honda scooter all over Cincinnati.

In 1972, while managing the blood bank at William Booth Memorial Hospital in Covington, Kentucky, she met Michael Maringer, and two years later they were married on Nov. 30, 1974. They moved to Napoleon, Ohio, and she embarked upon her greatest adventure of raising a family.

Later, in 2013, Gloria and Michael moved to Marblehead, Ohio, to enjoy their grandchildren. Gloria was a devout member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Napoleon, Ohio, and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marblehead, Ohio. She was known for her deep, strong faith and served her parishes as a Eucharistic minister taking communion to hospital patients and nursing home residents for years. She was also an RCIA instructor, Bible study facilitator and prayer warrior.

She was also a volunteer for the March of Dimes and the Cancer Society. Gloria was also an extremely talented artist and a member of the Napoleon Art League and the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council. In addition to painting and craft work, Gloria enjoyed playing games like Pictionary and Scrabble with family and friends.

She loved sunrises and sunsets on the waters of the Great Lakes and family adventures to Chicago, Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Sturgeon Bay, Niagara Falls and especially Put-in-Bay.

She was most proud of her family and will always be remembered as a beautiful, loving, caring, supportive and sweet mother, grandmother, wife and friend.

Gloria is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Michael Maringer; son, Russell (Melissa) Maringer; daughter, Michelle (Joe) Veliz; grandchildren, Gabrielle Maringer, Maria Maringer and William Veliz, all of Marblehead, Ohio; brother, Randy (Carole) Rudowicz, of Columbus, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Patience and Arthur Rudowicz; siblings, Michael Rudowicz, Carol Smith and Patty Crocker; and niece, Caitlin Rudowicz.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m.–noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marblehead, Ohio, with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at noon at the church. A private burial in Maple Leaf Cemetery, on South Bass Island, Ohio, will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peninsula Chapel, is assisting the family with services, and where online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesmanfh.com.