Beverly Ann Gulledge

Age 92, a resident of Chesterton, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at VNA Hospice in Valparaiso. Beverly was a 1950 graduate of Emerson High School in Gary and retired from the United Food and Commercial Workers where she was a secretary for 22 years. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Portage and active at the Bonner Senior Center where she enjoyed playing bingo. Beverly was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, belonged to the Red Hat Society, and was a friend of Bill W. She loved to read, do word search puzzles, play Mexican Train Dominoes, collect giraffes and help others. A self-described "capable old lady," Beverly insisted on continuing to live alone in her own home. Toward that end, she came to rely on her daughter Deborah and her son-in-law Michael (who graciously assumed the role of surrogate son) for the aid and support that enabled her to remain mostly independent (with much appreciated assistance from Dunes Hospice, VNA Meals on Wheels and kind neighbors).

She is survived by Deborah and Michael Pace and also by son, Jeffery (Debra) Fleeger; brother, Charles (Debra) Hostetter; grandchildren, Jason Solivais, Courtney (Rene Leal) Solivais, Shaun Fleeger and Jonah Fleeger; great-grandchildren, William (BJ) Ellis, Michael Ellis, Alex Solivais, Mia (Alex) Marler, Paige Solivais, Jackson Solivais and Rylan (Jenna) Rodriguez; great-great grandsons, Cameron Ellis and R.J. Rodriguez; two nephews and 4 nieces.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents Leroy Hostetter and Jane (Archie) Rich, her sister, Nancy Casillas, her brother, Leroy C. Hostetter, her granddaughter Chandra Solivais (who left this world on the same date 18 years earlier), her great-grandson Carter Elliott Rodriguez and a nephew.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Beverly's memory to Easter Seals, one of several charities Beverly—a notoriously careful spender—chose to support.

A private service will be held at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage, IN. Burial at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso will follow immediately. Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.