Gloria J. Haywood (née Heim), age 92, formerly of Blue Island, passed from this life peacefully on January 14, 2026.

Gloria was born on June 29, 1933, in Blue Island, Illinois, to the late Nelson and the late Fanny Heim. She was the beloved wife of the late John P. Haywood, with whom she shared a loving marriage after being united on December 15, 1951, at Grace United Church of Blue Island.

Gloria is the devoted mother of Debra (the late Thomas) Battistella, the late David (the late Joan) Haywood, Nancy (Joseph) DiNovo, and Paul (Donna) Haywood. She is the cherished grandmother of Will (Theresa) Battistella, Christina (Todd) Chasse, Cynthia Battistella-Woods, Nicole (Mario) Martinez, Anthony (Julie) DiNovo, David (Jamie) Haywood, Gretchen (Dan) Kuhn, Kelsey Haywood, and Miranda (Tony) Komada. Gloria is the proud great-grandmother of DJ McClain, Katie McClain, Andy Battistella, Johnny Battistella, Anthony Chasse, Tyler Chasse, Jake Woods, Jerry Woods, Teddy Kuhn, Annabell Kuhn, Jackson Haywood, Maddie Haywood, Gabe Martinez, Reyna Martinez, AJ Martinez, Cisco Martinez, James Komada, and Chloe Komada, and the loving great-great-grandmother of Violet Chasse. Gloria leaves many other family members and friends to cherish her memory.

A lifelong resident of Blue Island before moving to Oak Lawn in 2002, Gloria was a faithful member of Christ Memorial United Church of Christ. She held a PTA Life Membership and was actively involved in numerous church and youth activities, including Cub Scouts, and she earned the Service to Rainbow Award. Her life was defined by service, devotion to family, and a deep and abiding faith.

Scripture reflecting Gloria’s life and legacy comes from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13:

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.”

Visitation for Gloria will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 Greenwood Avenue, Blue Island, Illinois.

Interment will follow at Cedar Park Cemetery, Calumet Park, Illinois.

If you would like to make a donation in Gloria’s name, donations to Shriners Children's Hospital (Oak Park, IL), the Susan G. Komen Foundation, or the American Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.