Mrs. Gladys M. Place, age 91, formerly of Laceyville, PA, passed away on Saturday morning, March 7, 2020 at The Gardens of Tunkhannock, in Tunkhannock, PA.

Gladys was born in Retta, PA, on October 8, 1928, the daughter of the late Guy and Nina Clapper McLaud. Growing up in Retta, Gladys was a graduate of the Rush High School, with the class of 1947.

Learning to play the piano at a very early age, Gladys started playing piano for church services at the Retta Methodist Church, at the age of 13. Throughout the years, Gladys has played for many other churches, including Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, Saturday evening services; the Eatonville United Methodist Church, and the Skinners Eddy United Methodist church, where she has been a member of for over 54 years.

Early in her life, Gladys enjoyed giving piano lessons to many children, in her home in Retta, and later after moving to Laceyville, PA.

On April 21, 1966 Gladys married Emry J. Place, and together they enjoyed 43 years of marriage, up until his passing on their anniversary, on April 21, 2009. For many years Emry and Gladys owned and operated Place's Family Department Store in Laceyville, PA. Along with Emry's and Gladys's musical talents, they enjoyed many years with their good friends, Paul and Bunny Lyne, as the "Sounds of Joy" a quartet singing at many churches throughout New York and Pennsylvania, for many years.

Along with being a member of the Skinner's Eddy United Methodist Church for over 54 years, Gladys was also a member of the United Methodist Women, a member of the church choir, church pianist, and organist.   Most of her spare time, Gladys spent many enjoyable years with her family, church and many friends.

Gladys is survived by her daughter and her husband, Kathleen and Donald Watkins, of Tunkhannock, PA, and her son and his wife, Nelson and Bobbie Hollett, of Meshoppen, PA, and her step-son and his wife, Richard and Charlotte Place of Transue, PA she is also survived by her 3 Grandchildren, Benjamin Segars, Joseph and Lee Hollett; her 6 Step-Grandchildren, Pamela Hanson; Robin, Ronald and Emry Place; Lyle and Jesse Place, also 6 Great-Grandchildren, Star Segars, Ali, Kristi, Maxwell, Natilee, and Julia Hollett, and several step-great-grandchildren. Also a special niece, Marilyn Taylor-Smolek, of Frostproof, FL, a special nephew, David Taylor, of Montrose, PA, as well as  several nieces, nephews, and cousins.   Besides her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Gordon Hollett, her sister and her husband, Doris and Carl Taylor, a sister in law, Dorothy Place, her nephew, Carlton Taylor, her step-son, Ronald Place, and her step-daughter, Beverly Andren.

Funeral services will be held at the Skinners Eddy United Methodist Church, on  Friday, March 13, 2020 at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Dolly Tarreto, of the church officiating. Interment will be in the Beaver Meadows Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Laceyville, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Skinners Eddy United Methodist Church, 133 Doolittle Hill Rd., Laceyville, PA 18623