Obituary of Gladys Eileen Dickey

Gladys Eileen Dickey passed away peacefully at Estelle’s House – Hospice of Marion County, with her family at her side. Gladys was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 28, 1945, the daughter of the late Elmer C. and Anna V (Hawkins) Pogue.

Gladys was employed most of her life as a baker, working for many years at Loblaws in Erie, Pennsylvania. After Loblaws closed its local stores, Gladys enrolled at the Erie Business Center, earning her associate degree in marketing. A true lifelong learner, at the age of 72, she again became a student, enrolling in classes at Marion Technical College. In 2017, she graduated and became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician. In addition to formal education, Gladys loved to make ceramic art and cake decorating. While living in Erie, she was a member of several bowling leagues. Soon after retiring to Ocala, Gladys traded in her bowling ball for playing cards. She spent many evenings playing cards with her family and friends Gladys’ greatest asset was her love of people and her desire to help them in any way she could. A believer in the Gospel, Gladys accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and was a former member of Wayne Park Baptist Church in Erie and more recently First Free Baptist Church in Ocala. It was her strong faith that carried her through many trials in life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Harvey Dickey, Sr., her son, Harvey “Butch” Dickey, Jr., her brothers Buell, Elmer, Edward, Raymond, and Harold and sisters Golda Talerico, Alice Haskins, Anna Mae Vogt, and Gertrude Niles.

Gladys is survived by her sons, Philip of Dania Beach, Florida, Spencer (Jake) Wilson of Princeville, Illinois, her daughter, Beth (Alex) Vasile of Lincolnton, North Carolina, her favorite granddaughter, Brittany Vasile of Lincolnton, North Carolina, an adopted son, Kevin Johnson, of Dania Beach, Florida, and adopted daughter, Lisa Vitarelli, of Ocala, Florida. She is further survived by her brother George Pogue, of Erie, Pennsylvania, sisters Katherine Steinhauer, of State College, Pennsylvania, Dorothy (Regis) Munsch, of Erie, Pennsylvania, a special niece (bonus sister) Judy Pude, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends are invited to attend a viewing on Thursday, April 6th from 3:00 PM until the time of the funeral service to be conducted by Pastor David Leninsky, nephew of the deceased, at 4:15 PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, 910 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL. A Celebration of Life will occur for friends and family in Erie, PA, at a later date to be announced. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Marion County.