Gloria Grace Rissler

Gloria Grace Weaver Rissler was born on January 18, 1936 in New Holland, PA to Daniel and Marian Rutt Weaver. She graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School, Class of 1954, and Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing in September, 1959. She and Mahlon Rissler were married on June 6, 1959. She was an RN in PA, working with infants, and in VA caring for geriatric patients.

For a number of years, Gloria and Mahlon operated a bulk food/grocery business, first from a delivery truck, and then at the Dutch Foods store in Dayton. In later years, they ran a grocery-delivery service with customers in the Dayton area. These customers became life-long friends and cared for Gloria in a special way after Mahlon passed in 2015.

Gloria enjoyed sewing children’s dresses for Mennonite Central Committee and sewed right up until a few months before her passing. She enjoyed knitting and attending the Women’s Friendship and Service Circle at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (HMC). For numerous years, she enjoyed and took great care in writing cards to church members. Gloria was a member of HMC and appreciated her Discipleship Community, Open Circle. She loved to play piano.

Gloria has three children: Jay, Ruth (Jay) Altemus and Deb (Kenny) Layman. She has four grandsons: Matthew (Gwen) and Jonathan Layman; Nathan (Addie) and Benjamin Altemus and one great-granddaughter, Amelia Layman.

Gloria has two sisters-in-law: Ruth B. and Kathryn Weaver; a brother, Richard (Ruth) Weaver; a brother-in-law, Henry (Ludmila) Bird and two sisters, Gladys (Henry) Zeiset and Sharon (Ken) Kilheffer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Open Circle Class: Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 am November 30, 2024 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, with a private committal before and visitation following the service.