Gloria L. (Perra) Arnett, 91, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital. A native of Elkhart, she was born on August 10, 1933, in Elkhart to the late Eimal Maximillian Perra and Helen (Migala) Perra. She married her true love and best friend, Burton L. "Burt" Arnett, on October 22, 1952, at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Burt died on August 15, 2012, in Elkhart after 56 years of marriage. Surviving are her children, Danny J. Arnett, Sandy L. (Terry) Smith; 5 grandchildren; Joseph (Shannon) Cook, Dillon Arnett, Dustin (Jessy) Smith, Adam Smith and Melody Jelison; and 5 great grandchildren, Brandon, Sara, Tristan, Noah and Hannah. In addition to her husband Burt, her daughter Cathy M. Lytell-Arnett preceded her in death in 2020.

Gloria retired after 32 years of service from Federal Paperboard, where she worked as a machine operator. Gloria was a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She was a 1952 graduate of Concord High School, where she played French horn and won many awards. In her early years, she was involved in scouting, (both Cub Scouts as a den leader and Girl Scouts) and she enjoyed making towels sets as gifts to share with family and friends. Gloria started a family Christmas tradition of baking cookies that has lasted more than 40 years. She liked to fish, do word search puzzles and scrapbooking.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2024 with visitation starting at 10am prior to the mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St. Elkhart. Reverend Logan Parrish will officiate. Cremation was chosen and will follow the service. Gloria will be laid to rest next to Burt at the Veterans Tower at Prairie Street Cemetery, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests everyone to bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry box, located at the church.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart. Condolences may be made on-line at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

Food Pantry at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
1331 N Main St, Elkhart IN 46514
Tel: 1-574-262-1505