Gladys Ellen Funkhouser

Gladys Ellen Funkhouser, age 85, of Moorefield, West Virginia, passed away peacefully in the early morning of July 16, 2022, at the E. A. Hawse Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Baker, WV. 

Gladys was a warm, kind-hearted, compassionate woman loved by many. Although born Gladys, she was known as “Granny” because of her warm and welcoming heart. She saw the best in everyone, big or small, rich or poor, good or bad, providing a listening ear or a warm plate of food.  She also was strong-willed, hard-working, passionate, and resilient – a true firecracker. Her fighting spirit is what made her special, always confronting changes and obstacles with patience and perseverance. She passes on this fighting spirit to her children and grandchildren. Most importantly, Gladys was a proud mother, who always saw the best in her girls, she was their rock.

Not only was Gladys a firecracker with her wit, but she was also fierce in the kitchen.  Cooking and baking were part of who she was, it was her passion. With instinctive kitchen skills, she was able to spread her love and joy through food.  Gladys reached the mouths and hearts of those far beyond her home kitchen through her restaurants. She was the proud owner of Olde Towne Café in Winchester, Virginia for several years, eventually returning home to Moorefield to assist in operating O’Neill’s Restaurant and live on Mill Island Drive. She especially enjoyed the friendships and mentoring the staff, she was “Granny” to all. 

She was born on May 21, 1937, in Harman, Dry Fork WV, and was delivered by her grandmother, Chloe Ella (Mick) Davis. Gladys was preceded in death by her father Dan Shirley Beohm, her mother, Regina Margaret Davis, a brother Dan Shirley Beohm Jr., a sister Margaret Chloe Acord, a son, Ralph Lawrence Haines, Jr. and a son-in-law Brady S. Vetter III.

Gladys is survived by five daughters, Nancy Vetter, Jackie (Dan) Ryan, Jo Ellen (Craig) Reynolds, Jill Funkhouser, and Jammie (Michael) O’Neill. Seven grandchildren, Jennifer Jackson, Julie Hurst, Johnny Hurst, Eric Reynolds (Katie), Amy Reynolds, Ben O’Neill, Gracie Kate O’Neill, and three great-grandchildren, Nora Jackson, Juni Serna, and Weston Reynolds. Also, she is survived by two sisters, Barbara Cleaver Thomas, and Patricia Cleaver Howard, a brother, William (Butch) Cleaver, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday, July 21, 2022 at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street with Pastor Dan Sterns officiant. Interment will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 PM Wednesday at the funeral  home. Due to the current COVID-19 recommendations, wearing of masks and social distancing by individuals unvaccinated is recommended.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at E.A. Hawse Nursing and Rehabilitation in Baker, WV for the loving care she received.  “We will be eternally grateful for doing what we couldn’t do.”