Gloria Lee Hendrickson

Gloria Lee Hendrickson, age 97, of Monroe, OH, passed away on May 29, 2026. She was born March 19, 1929, the daughter of Nathan and Julia (Hobbs) Upton. Gloria was the youngest of 10 children. She lost her mother when she was 10 years old. After her mother’s death, Gloria lived with several of her married sisters, and attended 9 different schools; most were in Butler or Warren County, Ohio. Her Senior year she moved in with her father and step-mother in Ironton, Ohio, and graduated from Ironton High School in 1947.

Gloria was inspired to become a nurse by one of her sisters who had polio. The family did not have money for nursing school. Her sister Jeanie told a neighbor that Gloria wanted to become a nurse. Her neighbor was childless, but she wanted to help young people get an education so she paid for Gloria’s nurses training. She graduated in 1950. It cost $320 at that time. Gloria went on to be an RN who kept you laughing. She cut out comics from the newspapers that were about doctors and the hospital. She placed these in photo albums and shared them with friends and family members in the hospital. She always had jokes to tell anyone who would listen.

In her last year of nurses training, a nurse friend fixed her up with a blind date: William R. Hendrickson. They were married a year later. The couple had four children, two girls and two boys. Gloria stayed active with the children’s activities, serving as the nurse at church and band camps as well as being active in the PTA at their school, and being a cub scout den mother. She also helped her husband campaign and get elected to the Butler County Area Court as a judge and eventually to the 12th District Court of Appeals in Ohio. Gloria was a foster mother for two teen girls and hosted two foreign exchange students.

After retirement, the Judge and Gloria served as Lt. Colonels in the Civil Air Patrol. They also traveled extensively. Their trips included visits to China, Russia, Germany, Peru, and Brazil. Gloria used her nursing skills on two mission trips. She was active in her church, Lebanon Presbyterian Church. Bill and Gloria were married for 75 years. Two members of their wedding party attended their 75th wedding anniversary party, including a bridesmaid and the ring bearer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings – Evelyn (Peyton) Goins, Jeanie (Lester) May, Lenore (Harry) Kinner, Riley (Lois) Upton, Wanda (Tom) Bradbury, Joyce (Bob) Bucheight, Betty (Bob) Laubach, and Billy (May) Upton.

Gloria is survived by her children Cathy Holmes (Gary), Carol Davis (Martin, Jr.), Bill Hendrickson, Jr. (Barb), and Bob Hendrickson (Deborah). She is survived by her grandchildren: Brian Holmes, Christa Nolen, William R. Hendrickson III, Martin Davis III, Robby Hendrickson, Cassie Herman, and Dannelle Boswell. She also leaves behind 20 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10 AM-12 PM on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Ohio Living Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 225 Britton Lane, Monroe, OH. A Funeral Service will follow at 12 PM with Pastor Randy Fanin officiating. Burial will be at North Cemetery, Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a nursing scholarship in her honor. These are to be made to: Middletown Community Foundation

ATTEN: Sarah Watson

300 N. Main St.

Middletown, OH 45042

Please make a notation “for Gloria Hendrickson Nursing Scholarship”. There will be envelopes available at the visitation & service.