Gladys Olene Trolinger

1917 - 2020  (103 years)

• Name	Gladys Olene Trolinger
  Nickname	Olene
  Birth	20 Nov 1917	Garden City, Cass, MO
  Gender	Female
  Death	28 Dec 2020	Independence, Jackson, MO
  	Olene Crowley quietly passed away December 28, 2020 at The Groves Retirement Village in Independence, Missouri at the age of 103. It was probably the first time in her life that she did anything quietly. She had lived her life with a fire in her soul and in her actions. On December 30th the family gathered for a private funeral. Gladys Olene Crowley was born November 20, 1917 at a farm near Creighton, Missouri to John and Grace Starks Trolinger. She was always known as Olene and later officially dropped the name Gladys. She grew up in Cass and Henry County, Missouri with her two brothers, Johnny and Carl. On September 26, 1934 she married Charley Rivers Crowley. To this union one son, Jerry Mack Crowley was born. She retained the farm mindset her whole life, and won numerous neighborhood awards for her beautiful yard. Her favorite days were spent digging in the dirt, planting and weeding. Visitors were often taken out to the lawn bench and table and chairs to visit, because she preferred to be outdoors. She had houseplants along with the yard and brought lots of pots inside for the winter so they would survive. She was always willing to share by giving someone a start of one of the plants. Olene was a tiny ball of energy. Just 5 feet tall and about 100 pounds, she still had more energy than anyone half her age or twice her size. She began her work career in 1951 at National Photo, and followed that with jobs at Westinghouse, Benson Manufacturing, American Sash & Door, Bunting Hardware, Schneider Food, Sky Hobby, Great Western Textile, J C Nichols Industries, Peat Marwick, International Harvester, Navistar, Crimsco and Maincor. She was never let go, but was a victim of downsizing or business closure. She was receptionist, and often ran the switchboard in the days before call forwarding. She could keep track of a whole board full of offices and personnel. She kept a jar of peanut butter and a tablespoon on her desk for energy. She never was without work for over a week or so at most. She enjoyed dressing for the job. Her outfit, purse and 4? high heels all had to match and her makeup was flawless. She was so small, it was hard to find clothes to fit, so she was an expert at altering them. She wore those 4? heels everywhere, even at the beach. In the early 1950?s she started working nights in addition to her day job. She waited tables at the premier jazz clubs of the day, the Tracadero, the Cat Ballou, the Pink Garter and the Jewel Box. She worked until 1:30 AM and still got up in time to be at her day job. She never missed a day because of illness, and was never late to work. Even though she worked two jobs, her main focus has always been her family. Her son, Jerry Mack was the moon and stars to her. His death from cancer in 1989 was the low point of her life. She then put her energy into her grandchildren, Dennis, Denise and Adam Crowley. Her younger brother, Johnny was killed in Italy during WWII. Her parents and older brother Carl all died within a period of seven months and one day. In addition, she was preceded in death by her husband Charley and grandson, Dennis. She is survived by her two grandchildren, Denise Wallen and Adam Crowley, three great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, a daughter in law, Linda Hartman and her husband David, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all. Service Information: Olene?s immediate family gathered for a private funeral on December 30th, 2020.
  Burial	Kansas City, Jackson, MO
  	BURIAL Green Lawn Cemetery Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, USA
  Person ID	I7091	Drollinger Genealogy
  Last Modified	31 May 2024

  
  

  Father	John Mackhattan Trolinger,   b. 27 Jan 1891, Leesville, Henry, MO d. 26 Feb 1983, Clinton, Henry, MO (Age 92 years)
  Mother	Grace Cordelia Starks,   b. 21 Nov 1895, Creighton, Cass, MO d. 25 Jul 1982, Kansas City, Jackson, MO (Age 86 years)
  Family ID	F458	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Charles Rivers Crowley,   b. 27 Jul 1906, Calhoun, Henry, MO d. 14 Jun 1987, Kansas City, Jackson, MO (Age 80 years)
  Marriage	26 Sep 1933	Louisburg, Miami, KS
  Children	1. Jerry Mack Crowley,   b. 25 Apr 1935, Calhoun, Henry, MO d. 1 Mar 1989, Kansas City, Jackson, MO (Age 53 years)
  Family ID	F2365	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	14 Mar 2016

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 20 Nov 1917 - Garden City, Cass, MO Marriage - 26 Sep 1933 - Louisburg, Miami, KS Death - 28 Dec 2020 - Independence, Jackson, MO Burial - - Kansas City, Jackson, MO  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Olene Crowley with Jon Tuccillo at the Jewel Box Lounge, ca. 1960. Photo courtesy iam1areu12 (ref Findagrave.com)
  		Olene Crowley by David W Jackson, GLAMA co-founder. Photo courtesy iam1areu12 (ref Findagrave.com)
  		Olene Crowley by David W. Jackson, GLAMA co-founder. Photo courtesy iam1areu12 (ref Findagrave.com)
  		Obituary Photo

  
  

  Documents

  The John Trolingers' 50th Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. John Trolinger, three miles southwest of Calhoun, celebrated their Golden Wedding Sunday, Oct. 6, with an open house from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. About 150 were in attendance to extend sincere congratulations and good wishes to the honorees. The Trolingers were especially pleased to have their two children, Mrs. Charles (Alene) Croley, Kansas City, and Carl Trolinger, Calhoun, and all their grandchildren present. The reception table, with white cloth and a hand crocheted centerpiece, featured a beautiful three-tier wedding cake iced white, decorated with yellow roses and topped with a gold numeral "50". On each side were two graduated candles in crystal holders. Added sparkle on the table was the crystal crystal punch service. Presiding at the refreshment table were the daughter, Mrs. Croley, and daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, Mrs. Trolinger, assisted by three granddaughters, Mrs. Roy Baskins, Windsor, Mrs. Bob Trolinger, Lee's Summit, and Mrs. Mack Croley. Kansas City. A ten - year - old granddaughter, Miss Barbara Trolinger, was in charge of the guest book and Miss Kathy, eight-year old granddaughter, took care of the gifts. Also among the many present were Mr. Trolinger's sister, Mrs. Edna Newman, Lincoln, and Mrs. Trolinger's sisters. Mrs. Link Evertt, Branson, Mrs. Fred Barr, Mrs. Curtis Earnest, Springfield, Mo., and her brother, Ben Starks, Clinton. John Trolinger and his sweetheart. Grace Starks, both then of Creighton. took the train on Oct. 1, 1913, for Harrisonville where they were married. After a few vears residence at Creighton they lived for several years south of Calhoun then returned to the Creighton community for a number number of years more. However, about 30 years ago they returned to the Calhoun vicinity which since has been their home. The Trolingers were blessed with three children but lost their son, Johnnie, on July 14. 1943 when he was killed in action with the US Army overseas, the first Henry Countian to be recorded thus. The Trolingers were especially proud of their seven grandchildren and their three great-grandchildren. On their wedding day 50 years ago the Trolingers were attended by Mrs. Trolinger's sister, Miss Ruby Starks, and Mr. Trolinger's brother, Will Trolinger. Five days afterward the two became man and wife, consequently Sunday was their Golden Wedding anniversary. The Will Trolingers now live in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. In view of the happy occasion a long distance call was made to California and the entire family group had a joyous visit by phone. Numerous good wishes for many more happy, healthful years to come were extended the John Trolingers who were deeply appreciative of the many visits, cards and lovely gifts on their momentous milestone in life.

  
  

• Notes

  1920 United States Federal Census Name: Olene Trolinger Age: 2 [2 3/12] Birth Year: abt 1918 Birthplace: Missouri Home in 1920: Sherman, Cass, Missouri Race: White Gender: Female Relation to Head of House: Daughter Marital Status: Single Father's Name: John M Trolinger Father's Birthplace: Missouri Mother's Name: Grace Trolinger Mother's Birthplace: Missouri 1930 United States Federal Census Name: Gladys O Trolinger Gender: Female Birth Year: abt 1918 Birthplace: Missouri Race: White Home in 1930: Deer Creek, Henry, Missouri Marital Status: Single Relation to Head of House: Daughter Father's Name: John Trolinger Father's Birthplace: Missouri Mother's Name: Grace Trolinger Mother's Birthplace: Missouri