Gloria J. Banas, 78, of Schererville, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, April 23, 2026, with family at her side. 

Born on June 13, 1947, daughter of late Metro and Mary Bindas, sister of late Mary Joy and Metro Michael. Gloria was raised in Hammond, graduated from Morton High School Class of ‘65, obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Elementary Education from PNW and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. As a devoted educator, she taught for 39 years in the Hammond School City, where she was elected to the “Who’s Who of Teaching”, and member of the Retired Teachers Association.

Gloria is survived by her loving husband, Joseph R. Banas; daughter, Christine, and husband, John Michael; her beloved grandchildren, Ryder, Dylan, Cruz, and Blake; brother in law, David S. and Sharon Banas; nephews, David J. Banas, and Steven Sersic, with wife, Michelle, and children, Eva Sersic, and Madeline Joy Sersic; and cousins, Frank Kaminski and his wife, Margie, of Highland, and Rosemary Rivera, of Arkansas. 

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410, with visitation prior from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Burial will follow services at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W. 73rd Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant House by mail at PO Box 758636, Topeka, KS 66675-9986, or online at covenanthouse.org.