Gloria Frances Pearson-Pavlides

Gloria Pearson-Pavlides, 87, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Friday, May 29, 2015 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Jill Schoeplein officiating. Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Berrien County Cancer Society. Those wishing to sign Gloria’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gloria was born December 16, 1927 in Park Ridge, IL to Dr. Howard & Frances (Lozier) Pitts. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and then attended the University of Wisconsin where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Following her college years, Gloria married Vern Pearson and spent time caring for her home and three sons. On June 2, 1984, she wed Chris Pavlides in Chicago, IL. She held a number of diverse positions in her life, many centered around volunteer work including president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Memorial Hospital, president of Women’s Service League and weekend coordinator at the Krasl Art Center. In her spare time, Gloria enjoyed crafts, reading and being a life-long learner.  She is survived by her loving husband Chris; sons Rob (Cathy) Pearson of Grand Rapids and Tom (Debbie) Pearson of St. Joseph; step daughters Lisa (Mike) Pavlides of Berkley, CA and Marci Marrone of St. Paul, MN; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and dear friend Kelly Conaway of Benton Harbor. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vern Pearson, her son Fred Pearson, stepson Dan Pavlides, and brothers Donnie, Howard and Rich Pitts.