Phyllis Kissell's Obituary
Phyllis L. Kissell (1938-2024)
Phyllis L. Kissell, a lifelong resident of Decatur, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her home on May 7, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones and beloved caregivers, and her every loving and watchful kitty, Tinkerbelle. She fought a tremendous battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Born on August 19, 1938, in Decatur, Illinois, Phyllis was the daughter of Pearl Earl Myers and Harry Leland Myers. She spent her childhood in Decatur, where she developed a keen sense of community and a love for the area; and, in fact, she and my father moved into the house in South Shores next door to her parents when the addition was built. She also spent her summers growing up with her brothers and sister in Waltonville, IL (near Mt. Vernon, a place from where her mother grew up on a large family farm).
She is survived by her sister, Betty Ann Price (Ron Price, recently deceased) in Mundelein, IL who has 3 children, Ron (Sheila), Bill (Beth) and Lisa (Jim Halford), as well as Betty’s several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, James Richard Kissell in 1981, parents, Pearl (1998) and Harry Myers (1987), her brothers, Harry Franklin Myers and Billie John Myers, and her daughter, Shelley Lee Kissell (Alderson). She was also preceded by the unexpected death of a beloved niece, Catherine Nielsen (Sharon Nielsen) and one nephew, Michael Myers.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Angela R. Kissell of New York City; her son, Jeff Kissell (Pam) of Colorado and their 2 children Jacob and Ethan, her deceased daughter, Shelley’s, children: Dr. Andrea Lee Estrada-Rice (Manuel) and her children Fawn, Alyson, Heber, Elijah, and Romeo; Charlie Alderson and his children Hollie, Charley, Elliana, and River; Molley Alderson (Light) and her children Jamie, Jake, Maleah, and Isaac: Abbegail Alderson and her children Jaycee and Ava, Spencer Alderson (Camila) and their child, Ayla, and Hannah Alderson and her children Elijah and Ashlin. The 19+ grandchildren and great grandchildren are spread throughout the lower 48 states and many in Alaska. It was during their teen years that nearly all the older grandchildren came and stayed with Phyllis for extended periods of time where the house was never ever empty of children or pets or noise!
Phyllis was employed by the Illinois Department of corrections for 24 years as a Parole Agent. She was made for that role – firm but fair – and fearless to go into a house to arrest an absconder, plus her skills for shooting a .38 special on target was spot-on each time when it came time for qualification standards to be met. She was also acknowledged many times for her ability to assist other agencies such as the FBI and Decatur Police Department and Dept of Probation, either undercover or as her traditional PO role. Loved by all, she had the best sense of humor for which one could ever hope.
Also, with her for more than a dozen years, has been her best friend, Linda Kennedy Mennel (Gene), an avid travel companion, spending nary a day not together fulfilling some kind of fun (including the best of times ever with Jerry Logan, their hair stylist) and eating at Coney McKanes and other undertakings—i.e., Krekel’s lemon custard, what else!!! Everyone gets Krekel’s when they come here or go out. Linda was Phyllis’ sponsor in becoming a member of St. James Catholic Church. Phyllis started every morning no matter the time with “Heavenly Father….”.
Furthermore, a few extremely important people that must be mentioned are her brother Harry’s children who have always been there to check on her and be there at a moment’s notice: her devoted and dearly beloved niece Sharon Nielsen, Erica and Joe Brown, our sweet Catherine Nielsen, David and Terry Myers (who also recently lost her mother sadly, children Paige and Brooke), and Pam and Dan Benscoter, (Ashley with Ed and children Ashton and Jensen, and finally Sarah and Luke Mckenzie and baby Adaline).
We were also lovingly joined by my mother’s niece, Sherry Dolfin, from California, who arrived and who had a very special bond with Phyllis as a young woman – with Phyllis providing a formal gown to Sherry for a school dance as a teen. Sherry also attended Phyllis’ 80th birthday party as well, and visited NYC several times with Angie while on cruises with Sherry’s husband, Jerry.
Through it all, so much credit and undying gratitude in this difficult journey were Phyllis’ cherished caregivers and our dear neighbor, Sherry Trimby (who also lost her mother in the last month to Lewy’s body dementia) – all of whom we love and consider family. Not a day has ever gone by without Sherry checking in on Phyllis and getting things she needed—including trips to the ER, taking care of both lawns, hers and my mother’s, and running errands -- anything, you name it, including helping anyone whenever needed. Also, acknowledged is Kim Hart – who came over in a moment’s notice for tech support, chats and so many lunches with PK.
Sharon, Sherry, and Neva Nash are no different in the world of kindness and humor. We wouldn’t have known what to do without any of them. Neva Nash (and her wonderful, handsome loving sons, Greyson and Maxtyn who always teased Phyllis back and forth, smiles and laughter always, an occasional bump of heads, and Maxtyn’s brilliant serious discussions)—plus Neva’s expertise and organization has been beyond belief and on top of that, the love between PK and Neva was completely evident by being constant bicker buddies as if an old married couple, especially pre-shower and post-shower (PK’s language pre-shower we will omit here; post shower was full of love and adoration for Neva); Joda Von Hatten (and her sons who provided the muscle for moving heavy items) and Joda’s soft voice for singing and the ever present urge to get PK to eat; Selena Leiheiser (and her gorgeous curly red headed toddler, Dr. Luka who always asked “Phis, what can I do for you?” Or “Phis, I’m home.”), Selena, also always provided a melodic song for PK, and whom PK called her pretty girl; Danielle Carnahan and her granddaughter who cheered PK up while they snacked and chatted and spent many a nights at slumber parties with Danielle’s large family of fun, and finally, Frances Hall, who has the gift of words that bring both tears to eyes with laughter, along with her daughter Debbie who also has the same gift of stories and who helped for quite a while. Both of their favorite lines that made us smile every time were “long story short!” which was short story long! And lastly, we acknowledge Hannah Chapman, one of the first caregivers who let Phyllis braid her long beautiful red hair without pulling it and making her cry as Phyllis would when her daughters were small. Hannah would also bring her toddler, Benson, who always had a lot to say to PK. There were also tons and tons of car rides and Krekel’s lemon custards throughout the last few years. Also included are Anna and Joyce Hawkins, both lovingly attending her. Numerous car rides home that were actually trips around the block, with her bags packed and ready to go home every time one of the girls showed up. Every one of her caregivers, or better yet known as her girls, contributed the most unique, kind, and special human souls for the treatment of such devastating diseases, letting Phyllis be the most unique Phyllis during her last few years.
The Service was at Moran & Goebel at 2802 North Monroe, with the visitation/viewing service at 12pm Thursday May 16, 2024, with Phyllis (or PK as she was always known at work) followed immediately by a spoken service at 1pm. I would truly love to give my personal thank you to all who have been with me and my family on this long, difficult journey of trials and tribulations and tears, as well as fun and laughter, upon which we ended the service and remembered Phyllis as the funny character she was. The service was streamed for those who couldnot attend in person. PK will be cremated and interred at some point with her daughter, Shelley Kissell.
A luncheon was was catered for and provided by the kindness of my cousin and nieces, Sharon Nielsen, Erica Brown, Molley Light, and Abbey Alderson at Sharon’s house off the Elwin Blacktop at 907 E. Elwin Rd., Mt. Zion IL 62521 (down from the Fuyao plant). Activities for children are also provided such as a swimming pool, [pending rain and chilly water], a deck (set up with extreme safety), lots of lawn seats (portable informal seats welcome too!), a fire pit, a trampoline, and acres of yard space to run. If you wish to bring a dish, please feel free to do so! We hope the afternoon will be the best of all the fun Phyllis stories! (Trash cans will be provided; please use!)
In lieu of flowers or other, Phyllis would love any donations made to an animal rescue charity or sanctuary of one’s choice as she has been an avid, loving pet owner her entire life, rescuing, and homing whenever possible. Or pay it forward and be kind to any animal you come across, a tender stroke of love can save any stray’s life. Thank you!
The Kissell Family
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