Gladys Marie Herzog of Jacksonville, IL, formerly of Alhambra and prior to that the Peoria area, passed away on June 9, 2026. Gladys was born in Franklin County, IL, near Thompsonville, on June 5, 1941, the daughter of Earl and Mollie (nee Eason) Davis. She married Clarence R. Herzog on June 5, 1965, in the First Congregational Church of DePue.

She is survived by Bob her husband of 61 years; children: Glynis (Michael) Friederich, Clare (John) Mansholt, and William (Amanda) Herzog; grandchildren: Matthew Friederich, Elizabeth (Troy) Holloway, Derek and Ariel Mansholt, Audrey and Eleanor Herzog; great-grandchildren: Logan and Grady Holloway, Samson Friederich; and one brother Robert Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as three brothers and one sister: Oliver, Elever and Lloyd Davis, and Masel Westerfield.

Gladys graduated from Benton High School, Class of 1959, as valedictorian. She attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1963. She earned a Masters of Guidance and Counseling from Illinois State University in 1971. She taught high school math at DePue High School for five years. She then became the district counselor for the Tiskilwa school district where she served until 1984. As an educator, Gladys developed a federally funded-state validated program in responsibility and education. She helped pioneer the use of satellite television in the classroom as the leader of an eight-school consortium.

Following her education career, Gladys earned her Master of Divinity in 1986 and a Doctor of Ministry in 1998 from Chicago Theological Seminary.  She served as pastor of Princeton Hollowayville United Church of Christ and Cherry United Church of Christ while attending seminary. After earning her degree, she served churches in Atkinson (Congregational Church), Edelstein (Congregational Church), Warsaw-Sutter (Bethlehem UCC), and Alhambra (Salem UCC) where she retired from in 2007. She served as pastor at the Beardstown Congregational Church during her retirement years.

One of Gladys' passions was serving in chaplaincy care in Jacksonville for the Christian Church Disciples Benevolent Society, mostly at Barton W. Stone Home (currently The Grove). Eventually Reverend Dr. Gladys Herzog, with the assistance and input from Bruce Pilcher, formulated Jacksonville Area Senior Chaplaincy Care to provide weekly services for people living in five facilities in Jacksonville. In addition to her ministry work, Gladys was a member of the College Hill Literary Society and the Underground Railroad Board of Morgan County Historical Society.

Over the years, Gladys has served on many boards of directors. She was president of the Hitz Nursing Home Board and served on boards of Quad City Counseling and Christian Home Services. She was a member of the American Society of Aging, Delta Kappa Gamma and several civic groups. Additionally, while a member of DePue Congregational Church, she served as Sunday School Superintendent, youth leader and moderator. She was active in the United Church of Christ's wider church and served twice as moderator of the association as well as being a member on a variety of other committees.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. A memorial service will follow the visitation. Memorials for Gladys are suggested to Jacksonville Area Senior Chaplaincy Care. Gifts may be left with the funeral home or mailed to JASCCI c/o Eddie Carpenter, 305 W. State Street, Jacksonville, IL 62650. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.