MILLERSBURG [mdash] Phyllis Jean Showalter, 96, Millersburg, died at 3:20 p.m. Friday, at her home, surrounded by family.
She was born Aug. 18, 1928, to Victor Rollin and Hilda (Stump) Bollinger in Goshen.
She grew up in New Paris, where her first job was as an operator at New Paris Telephone.
She later worked at Chase Bag Factory, Goshen, where she met William “Bill” Showalter.
They married on April 19, 1947; and moved to the family farm in LaGrange County, where she thrived as a farmer’s wife.
Together they had four children. From the time the oldest started first grade until the youngest graduated from high school, she had children in school for 30 consecutive years.
She was the mom who volunteered to bake cupcakes and chaperone field trips.
It was her great pleasure that she soon became the grandma who got to carpool her grandchildren and neighborhood kids to kindergarten, and to make sure that each of the grandchildren had their favorite snacks when she picked them up after school.
She is survived by three children, Jerry (Ann), Millersburg, Jay, Bloomington, and Janet, Millersburg. She is also survived by one sister, Ruby (Daryl) Hovey, Sebring, Florida; eight grandchildren, Nanette (Scott) Galloway, Andrew (Susan Leung) Showalter, Danny (Lauren) Showalter, Sara Showalter, Ping Showalter, Thea Showalter, Adam Rink and Aaron (Jennifer) Showalter; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; former daughters-in-law Judy Showalter and Sally Stutsman; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2009; a son, Jake Showalter; four brothers, Dean, Wally, Lanny, and Bob Bollinger; and a sister, Evelyn Lechlitner; daughter-in-law, Lissa Hunt; and two granddaughters, Emily Showalter and Marcy Showalter.
She was a member of the New Paris Church of the Brethren, a longtime member of The Be-Y’s Home Ec. Club, and TOPS.
No matter where she worked or where she went, she made friends for life.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St. Goshen, IN 46526, and one hour prior to an 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, Dec. 23, at New Paris Church of the Brethren, 68170 C.R. 23, New Paris, IN 46553.
Pastor Billy Hesketh will officiate.
Burial to follow in Violett Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to New Paris Church of the Brethren, Feed the Children, or Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com.
She was born Aug. 18, 1928, to Victor Rollin and Hilda (Stump) Bollinger in Goshen.
She grew up in New Paris, where her first job was as an operator at New Paris Telephone.
She later worked at Chase Bag Factory, Goshen, where she met William “Bill” Showalter.
They married on April 19, 1947; and moved to the family farm in LaGrange County, where she thrived as a farmer’s wife.
Together they had four children. From the time the oldest started first grade until the youngest graduated from high school, she had children in school for 30 consecutive years.
She was the mom who volunteered to bake cupcakes and chaperone field trips.
It was her great pleasure that she soon became the grandma who got to carpool her grandchildren and neighborhood kids to kindergarten, and to make sure that each of the grandchildren had their favorite snacks when she picked them up after school.
She is survived by three children, Jerry (Ann), Millersburg, Jay, Bloomington, and Janet, Millersburg. She is also survived by one sister, Ruby (Daryl) Hovey, Sebring, Florida; eight grandchildren, Nanette (Scott) Galloway, Andrew (Susan Leung) Showalter, Danny (Lauren) Showalter, Sara Showalter, Ping Showalter, Thea Showalter, Adam Rink and Aaron (Jennifer) Showalter; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; former daughters-in-law Judy Showalter and Sally Stutsman; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2009; a son, Jake Showalter; four brothers, Dean, Wally, Lanny, and Bob Bollinger; and a sister, Evelyn Lechlitner; daughter-in-law, Lissa Hunt; and two granddaughters, Emily Showalter and Marcy Showalter.
She was a member of the New Paris Church of the Brethren, a longtime member of The Be-Y’s Home Ec. Club, and TOPS.
No matter where she worked or where she went, she made friends for life.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St. Goshen, IN 46526, and one hour prior to an 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, Dec. 23, at New Paris Church of the Brethren, 68170 C.R. 23, New Paris, IN 46553.
Pastor Billy Hesketh will officiate.
Burial to follow in Violett Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to New Paris Church of the Brethren, Feed the Children, or Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com.
