Born December 31, 1939 in Fulton County, IL, she was the first daughter and the third of four children born to Paul Bruce and Ruby Margaret (née Davis). Phyllis spent her youth in the small rural community of Summum as a bit of a tomboy who loved anything to do with cowboys. John Wayne was her favorite cowboy and she loved his movies or, in fact, any movie that had cowboys and Indians. You might even have found her mimicking her favorite cowboy with her cap gun in the back yard. It actually earned her the nickname “Two Gun Pete!” She never left her love of those old movies.
Phyllis attended local schools going on to graduate from Astoria High School in 1958. After high school, she worked at a five & dime in Havana, as well at a dry cleaner in that same town traveling to work with her sister Carol. But moving on to bigger and better, they both took jobs at Montgomery Ward in Peoria. It was there she met this man.
On September 3, 1965, Phyllis married that man, the love of her life, Richard Donovan Stremmel, at the Summum Christian Church. Together they shared life with their children- Vicki Suzette, Debbie Lynnette, Vickie Leann, David Wade, Timothy Wayne, Stephen Andrew and Rebecca Carmita. Phyllis enjoyed the time spent with her family. Whether it was camping, playing UNO or being competitive in a mean game of Mexican train dominoes, she cherished these family times together. Having their family in church was a priority and continued to be throughout life.
After raising her family, Phyllis continued to care for others and moved to Naples, Florida to be a full time caregiver to a dear friend Fern Chain. While there in church she would meet the second love of her life Walter Arthur Wolff. They married on August 12, 1995 in Naples, FL and would share their lives together for the next 12 years. To be closer to her Illinois family, Phyllis and Wally moved back to Canton Illinois in the early 2000s. During this time in her life, she was blessed to make the acquaintance of a woman named Barb Armstrong, who became a very dear friend. They were nearly inseparable in the years they were together.
As with many who age, Phyllis’ health took a downturn in recent years and that led to her moving to Normal to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Not only did she physically move closer, but she was able to grow emotionally closer to her daughter Becky and her girls. Initially in assisted living but later in a nursing home, the girls got to enjoy more of Grandma by playing cards and painting fingernails together. The family would like to thank the staff of the McLean County Nursing Home, Transitions Hospice, and Carle Hospital for their compassionate care.
Surviving to mourn her passing and cherish her memories are her sister Carol (late Herbert) Shaw, Summum, with whom she shares the same anniversary, along with her children, Debbie (George) Coutré, Colchester; David (late Jennifer) Stremmel, Canton; Timothy (Angela) Stremmel, Anniston, AL; Stephen (Christian Ann) Stremmel, Canton and Rebecca (Scott) McNeil, Normal.
Also surviving her are her many grandchildren: Deonna Gardner, Exeter, CA. Jesse Gardner Owens (Janine Balmoraz), Urbana; Emily (Jonathan) Krueger, Quincy; Jacob (Chandra) Coutré, Alexandria VA; Elijah Ziri, St. Petersburg, FL; Emilia Stremmel, East Peoria; Eliana Stremmel, Canton; Jenna, Adam & Carter Stremmel, all of Anniston, AL; Kathryn (Vincent) Franzoni; Krysten (Joshua) Powell; Lauren Stremmel; Zachary Stremmel, all of Canton; Brianna & Brooklyn McNeil, Normal. In addition, she leaves behind seven great grandchildren.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Ruby Scrogum, her spouses Richard Stremmel and Wally Wolff, brothers Benjamin & James Scrogum, daughters Vicki Suzette (James) Gardner, Vickie Leann (late Dennis) Foster; granddaughter Amber Renee Foster and her dear friend Barb Armstrong.
Services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 at Shawgo Memorial Home, 207 E Broadway, Astoria, IL with Pastor Monroe Bailey officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 am. Family will meet privately beforehand. Please leave sympathies and condolences at www.shawgomemorialhome.com Memorials may be made to help defray some unpaid expenses. Please make checks out in her memory to Steve Stremmel. Interment will follow service at Summum Cemetery.
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