Obituary: Gloria Ann Dayton

Gloria Ann Dayton, 85, of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday,  April 7, 2026. She was born in Waverly on August 14, 1940, daughter of George and Leona  (Mueller) Lindner. Gloria graduated from Orange Township School in Waterloo, then attended Central Technical Institute in Kansas City, MO. She married Donald Dayton on October 10,  1959, and to this marriage three children were born, though the couple later divorced. Gloria worked for the Cedar Falls Post Office as a Rural Mail Carrier for 30 years, retiring in 1999.  Gloria was previously a 4H Leader Assistant and was active in her church choir. She was active in the Rural Letter Carrier Union and even served as local Union Steward.  

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; her significant other, Richard “Dick”  Caley; daughter, Lynn Lange; brothers, Donald and James Lindner; a sister, Sylvia Lindner in  infancy: and many beloved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her children, Mark (Lavonne)  Dayton and Denise (Blane Carpenter) Smith; 9 grandchildren: Corbin (Bobbie Wessling) Dayton,  Colton Dayton, Genna Dayton, Christina (Brad) Staton, Meggan (Tony) Bradley, Susan Woods,  Travis (Amy) Meyer, Sarah (AJ) Lange and Cole (Sam) Lange; 24 great-grandchildren; and 1  great-great grandchild.  

Gloria’s Funeral was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in the Larsen Chapel at  Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Burial at a later date at Washington Chapel Cemetery  of Cedar Falls. Memorials may be directed to the Family for future distribution to Nazareth  Lutheran Church and the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.  

Gloria spent a life time loving horses and belonged to the Wapsie Wranglers as well as  the Janesville Cedar River Riders. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially in the saddle or  working in the garden. Gloria was an accomplished quilter and sewer. She was also an avid  traveler, having visited all of the United States except Alaska as well as Greece and Germany. 

Gloria was previously a league bowler and participated in card club where she built many great  friendships. Above all else, she cherished time spent with her family.