Gladys V. Nickell Pritchett

A "celebration of life" for GLADYS V. (MANGERS) NICKELL PRITCHETT, 104, will be held at 5:00 pm Mon., June 11, 2018 at the DANVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, of which she was a member. Visitation will take place at the church from 3:00 pm until time of the service. A private ceremony of the interment of her cremains will take place next to her first husband, Melvin, in the Fairview Cemetery at North Salem.

Gladys was born in Decatur, IL., a daughter of Peter Edward and Phoebe Jane (Burchfield) Mangers. She graduated in 1932 from Blandinsville, IL. High School, and received a BS degree from Western Illinois University in 1939 with majors in math, history, and English. Gladys taught public school in both Illinois and Indiana for 25 years. She also did graduate work at universities in Illinois and Indiana, receiving a National Science Foundation grant in 1969 to study advanced geometry at San Diego State University.
At the end of WWII, she tutored wounded veterans at Wakeman Hospital at Camp Atterbury to help them complete their GED high school diplomas. Between 1946 and 1947, Gladys taught geometry to veterans through (IPS) at Arsenal Technical High School. Her teaching career span 25 years both in Illinois and Indiana until her retirement in 1975 from North Salem High School, Northwest Hendricks School Corporation. In the mid-1950's, Gladys was instrumental in establishing the first textbook rental program for the North Salem Public Schools.

In 1947, Gladys married Melvin Nickell in Pekin, IL., they moved to North Salem, where they raised two daughters. A life-long member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she served as choir director at the North Salem Christian Church for over 25 years. Gladys carried one of the original petitions to build Hendricks Regional Hospital, for which she would later serve as a hospital guild volunteer for over 25 years. Following her husband, Melvin's, accidental death in 1962, she found herself being a single parent, a full-time teacher, but still had time to be an active community volunteer.
In 1975, Gladys married Carl Pritchett in North Salem, where they enjoyed living on Carl's farm, traveling, and their combined families and many friends. Carl preceded her in death in 1982. After moving to Danville in 1987, Gladys became a member of the Danville Christian Church, the Browning Club, and sang in the Hendricks County Home Extension Chorus. After wintering in Florida for 20 years, Gladys moved to The Hearth at Prestwick in 2006. Being an avid bridge player, she continued playing bridge and serving as president of the resident's council.

Survivors include her daughters, Alice (Robert) McColgin - Avon, Janet (Timothy) Whiteman - Danville, step-children, Arlene Pritchett and Marion Pritchett, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Gladys was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Mangers, and sister Lucille Mangers Harmon.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Hendricks County Community Foundation's Gladys Nickell Pritchett Scholarship, 6319 E. US Highway 36, suite #211, Avon, In. 46123, and/or one's favorite charity.

A woman, a person ahead of her time, she was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.