May 19, 1924 – September 10, 2022
Phyllis Jean Stackhouse, 98, Westfield, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at her daughter’s home.
Our amazing mother was a spunky dynamo, whom we nicknamed the energizer bunny. She grew up in Bourbon, Ind. She was a typical tomboy girl until the age of 10 when her father died. She got a paper route and rode all over Bourbon delivering papers and collecting the payments. She was the baby of four children born to Roy and Evalena (Barnbrook) Houser.
During her high school years, she worked in several local stores, including Pletcher’s, Goods, a dime store, Murph Yarian’s and an ice cream shop. When Marion came in, she would always give him a little extra. She had met Marion Stackhouse in high school and decided he was the one. When Bourbon played Etna Green in basketball, she revealed, she always cheered silently for him, even though he was on the opposing team.
She was attending nursing school when she traveled to Fort Sill, Okla., for one of their military friend’s wedding. The group talked Marion and her into getting married at the same time. Her sister had offered her wedding dress to take along, but Phyllis replied, “I am going to finish nursing school,” so she hurried out and found a dress for the wedding. She was a child of the Depression, and it always influenced her. She saved everything so it could be reused. She was a conservationist before her time.
She had a very interesting life. She went from a small-town girl to a farm wife/farmer who was very active in her communities. She was a faithful volunteer at her church and sang in the choir. She volunteered and actively served for Farm Bureau, 4-H, extension as a council member, homemaker member and board member, county president and active volunteer in the fair kitchen. She also found time to volunteer at Riverview hospital (29 years). She was never sleepy, just resting her eyes. She caught two combines on fire while harvesting, and after the first fire she always carried a fire extinguisher. She was able to become a world traveler as she joined Marion on many Farm Bureau trips.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Gloria (Dennis) Del Greco, Phil (Donna Pence), and Brian (Brenda Davis); grandchildren, Dennis and Gloria, Dawn (Andy Williams), Greg (Jodi Aaby), Carson Ratliff-Del Greco, Phil and Donna, Sara, Brian (Marsha Sugars), Paul, Brian and Brenda, Brayden, and Brianna; great-grandchildren, Lauren (Jacob Hiatt), Austin (Danielle Radniecki) Williams, Kaylin Williams, Ellie, Corbin, Matthew Stackhouse, and Hendrix Capps; and great-great-grandson, Alexander Williams. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Stackhouse; her infant son, Larry; daughter, Kay; son, Steve; sister, Waneta (John) Klinefelter; and her brothers, John (Betty) Houser, and Loy (Mary) Houser.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with services at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, Noblesville. Pastor Nate Ownbey will officiate. Phyllis will be laid to rest next to Marion at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw.
Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana Extension Homemakers Association Cancer Research Endowment Fund, c/o Ellen King, 9995 S. SR 25, Rochester, IN 46975; or Riverview Health Foundation, 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060; or Open Doors, 19350 Tomlinson Road, Westfield, IN 46074.
Condolences: randallroberts.com