Gloria Ann Rifenbark, 78, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away September 21, 2019, at a St. Louis hospital.

Gloria was born on October 25, 1940, at Lebo, Kansas, the daughter of Dan S. and Grace A. (Thomas) Laws.  She grew up at Lebo and graduated from Lebo High School in 1958.

On May 28, 1959, she was married to Alfred Glenn Rifenbark at Ottumwa, Kansas. They became the parents of three sons.

She attended Emporia State University, earning a degree in Business Education.  She taught business in Northern Lyon County schools from 1968 to 1974 in Allen and Americus.  From 1977 to 2001, she was the business teacher and FBLA sponsor at Olpe High School.  She continued her own education over the years, earning her Masters in Business Education from Emporia State.   After her retirement in 2001, she and Alfred moved to Joplin, where she continued to work as a substitute teacher in area schools.

Gloria was a long-time member of the Emporia Church of Christ, and after moving to Missouri was a member of the Spring City Church of Christ.  She volunteered often in her church, and enjoyed the World Video Bible School and Joplin Senior Center.

Alfred preceded her in death on August 24, 2016.  Gloria and Alfred suffered the loss of their son, Gregory, in 1974, and the loss of their son, Garry, in 1998.  She also was preceded by her brothers and sisters, Derald and Melvin Dewey Laws, Geraldine Kueser, and Imogene Grimes.

Gloria leaves her son, Glenn A. Rifenbark and wife Trish of Joplin; four grandchildren, Diana Simonton of Lubbock, TX, Laura Hall and husband Matt of Maumelle, AR, Tori Rifenbark and Caleb Gray of Carthage, MO, and Riley Rifenbark of Granby, MO;  five great-grandchildren, Andi, Laney, Evan and Asher Hall, and Jason and Jax Simonton; other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 27, 2019, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, Kansas.  The family will receive friends for visitation at the Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until service time Friday morning.   Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, south of Emporia, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Emporia Church of Christ, Spring City Church of Christ, or World Video Bible School, may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.