Phyllis Elizabeth Shaler (Cole), born February 3, 1938, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawton and Lucy Cole, Robert Shaler (father of their children), Kenneth Shaler (brother-in-law), Karen Shaler Hitchcock (sister-in-law), Patricia Daley (sister-in-law), Don Post (brother-in-law). She is survived by her loving companion of 17 years, Steven Hartley; Son, John (Jennifer) Shaler; daughter, Mari (Merle Jones) Bryant; granddaughter, Jordan Shaler; Sister, Bonnie (Ron) Brunsink; Sister, Madelyn (Leo) Pfaller, Sister-n-Law, Lola Hunt and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis grew up in Lowell, Michigan and attended a one room schoolhouse on Snow Avenue. She participated in the Kent County Youth Fair for many years and went to the National Guernsey Show with her cow, Show Girl, in Waterloo, Iowa. She worked as a bookkeeper at Mapes Insurance Agency for 11 years. After raising her two children, she went back into the workforce and spent some time working at Meijer doing floral arrangements and fruit baskets during the holidays. After a while, she went to work full time at Amway Corporation as a Customer Service Representative and retired from there 11 years later.
Phyllis loved traveling, being with family and friends, but most of all her children and her only granddaughter, Jordan. She was grateful to Steve for the companionship and love throughout the years.
She also loved Elvis Presley. On her 70th birthday, a dear neighbor (who has since passed), Mary (Toni) Knapp, threw her a birthday party and had “Elvis” present to sing.
She battled Chronic Kidney Disease for several years, enduring dialysis for the past 4. She would like to thank the Rockford Rai Care Center for their kind and compassionate care.
Phyllis loved her God, family and country and will be dearly missed.
Family will meet friends and relatives on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 11-12pm at the First United Methodist Church of Lowell, 621 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331. Funeral service will follow at 12pm at the church. Pastor Cheryl Armstrong officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Lowell First United Methodist Church or Pink Arrow Foundation.
5 Responses
Mari, my thought and prayers are with you and your family. In Romans it say, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When someone is considered lost, it’s because we don’t know where they are. Your mom isn’t lost, we know right where she is, in the loving arms of her Savior in Heaven and you will see her again. I’ll be praying for you and your family. See you soon, Matt
Mari,
Michelle and I are deeply sorry to hear the news. Please accept our deepest condolences. I’m confident you will find comfort in the many beautiful memories you have!
-Eric
My classmate, my friend, we know you are with the Lord and your pain and suffering is over. You will be missed by your family and friends you now have piece!!
Mari, and Family,
So sad to hear this, so many of us have gone through this in the recent years.
People say as we get older it should be expected, and maybe it should, but when it’s actually comes to you, and when it actually happens, it’s still unexpected.
Appreciate the opportunity to see the friends and family that are there to pay their respects, as we never know when we will see them again. Hopefully it becomes a celebration of Phyllis’s life and not her death
-Bob
Sorry to lose another classmate. I know you are not suffering any more and are in a better place. Peace be with you. Love Joan