Gladys Lorene Koenig

CARBONDALE – Gladys Lorene Koenig nee Ayres, 97, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 at her home with family by her side.

Gladys was born on May 23, 1928 to Sidney and Delores (Clark) Ayres in Pacific, MO.

Gladys is survived by her children, Earl (Laura) Schuette of Winter Springs, FL, Linda (Stephanie Shelley) Schuette of Carbondale, and Stephen (Staci) Koenig of Murray, KY; grandchildren Christopher (Jacqueline) Schuette, Joshua (Lauren) Schuette, Caroline Koenig, and Carter Koenig; great-grandson Baby Clarke Schuette; sister Helen Koch; sisters-in-law Alma Ayres and Sherry Ayres; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Henry (Doris) Ayres, Leo (Mary) Ayres, Clark (Betty) Ayres, Sidney Ayres, and Franklin Ayres, sister Alena (Oliver) Bartold; and brother-in-law Charles Koch.

Gladys was born in Pacific, Missouri. She graduated from Eureka High School. After high school, she taught grade school for one year and then moved on to become a bookkeeper at Roeper-Danz Ford in St. Louis. Through bookkeeping she found her true calling in life. Her next job took her to Koenig Chevrolet in St. Louis, where she worked up to office manager. Gladys loved balancing the books.

She moved to Carbondale, Illinois, and co-founded Koenig Chevrolet with her husband. Together they created a successful company. She was instrumental in helping it thrive. In the 1980s, she purchased a dealership in Murphysboro, Illinois, and became the owner of Gladys K Chevrolet. She successfully operated that dealership for several years before consolidating it with Koenig Chevrolet in Carbondale. She was an incredible businesswoman respected by all who knew her or knew of her.

Gladys lived her life by following one main principle, and that was to treat others kindly. She spent her life putting others’ needs and feelings before her own. She was a good friend and supportive ear to many. She loved life and the adventures it brought. She spent much time on Kentucky Lake entertaining family and friends. She had her favorite places to travel, like the Florida Keys, Hawaii, New Orleans and Chicago, but really, she was happy anywhere she could enjoy a glass of chardonnay and dinner with friends or family.

Gladys frequently drove to St. Louis to have lunch with her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and in-laws. She cherished those lunches and the relationships she had with them. And she spent many weekends with her dear friends Wanda, Marcy, Abe and Lorraine.

She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and a season ticket holder for many years. She took her baseball seriously, and did not tolerate idle chatter while watching a game. Cardinal baseball was a true love of hers, and it was a main source of conversation with family.

Gladys had a dedicated faith in God and found strength in her church community. Our Savior Lutheran Church was her center point. She attended services most every week, and the pastors there were her trusted counsel.

Gladys made it a point to find joy in every day and to enjoy every sunset. She took daily walks around Campus Lake and considered it successful if she saw turtles sunning on a log. She loved her patio when it was blooming with flowers. She enjoyed seeing every Cardinal bird, hummingbird and frog that showed up there.

She loved her children and grandchildren very much and took great pride in them. Her greatest joy this year was to meet her first great-grandchild. In her later years, Gladys enjoyed the support and friendship of some special people. Thank you to Joyce, Berneice, Keri, Pat, Janta, Gina, Amy and Claudia for always being there.

Gladys was loved and will be fondly remembered by family and friends. She was one of a kind.

Per Gladys’ wishes, no service will be held.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale. 

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Gladys, visit www.meredithfh.com