Gloria G. Buford

Gloria Buford

Passed away on September 27, 2022 at the age of 84 at St. Mary’s Hospital/Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, Wisconsin, and reunited with her husband, parents, and siblings in eternal life. A family visitation occurred on September 28, 2022 at Mueller Funeral Home, Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Gloria Schramm was born on November 4, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Edward and Clara (nee Hamann), and grew up on the family farm in Thiensville and home on 7th Street in Milwaukee. She attended Green Bay Avenue School and enjoyed playing softball in the summer and ice skating on the schoolyard grounds across from her parents’ home. Gloria was confirmed in 1950 as a member of the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Gloria graduated from Rufus King High School in 1956 and took a job in the mailroom at Square D Company in Milwaukee. She met Sergeant Melvin Buford, United States Army, at the Army’s Hales Corners Nike missile base in 1958, and falling head over heels for each other they married on October 9, 1958. With the exception of 18 months in 1960-1962 spent in Lubbock, Texas, Gloria and Melvin Buford lived their 56 years together in Milwaukee and (from 1976) Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

Gloria made a warm, comfortable and nurturing home for Melvin and their three children, and was a loving aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. While she occasionally expressed regrets that she hadn’t pursued higher education or a professional career, her bounteous talents shone throughout her life to the great benefit of friends and family. From sewing and embroidering pillows, sweaters and curtains to re-upholstering multiple pieces of furniture that have provided decades of service to family members, and from baking beautiful and elaborate wedding cakes to hosting family Christmas parties and summer picnics, Gloria’s expertise, generosity and selfless care for others were loved and appreciated by everyone who knew her. Family and friends meant everything to Gloria, and her loss will be felt deeply.

Gloria is survived by her children Bryan (Andrea) Buford, Melinda (David) Misialek, and Jeremy (fiancée Jen) Buford, grand-children Kevin Flasch, Jacob (Sara) Misialek, Amanda (Joey) McDaniel, Justis, Trystan, and Walker Buford and Laila Brown, and great-grandchildren Lorelei McDaniel and Savannah Misialek. Further survived by cousins Jim (Donna) Hamann and Chris Bellmore, and nephews and nieces Bill (Mary Flasch) Schramm, Lawrence John (“L.J.”) Schramm, Jeff, Gwen, Greg and (godchild) Claire Smaxwill, Scott Priesler, and Sandra (Rick) Rubringer. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, parents Edward and Clara Schramm, and siblings Harvey (Florence) Schramm, Dorothy (Donald) Plamann, Larry (Barbara) Schramm, Audrey (Bob) Smaxwill, June (Ralph) Priesler, and Marvin Schramm.

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.