Phyllis J. Fitzenrider, age 83, of Montpelier, passed away Sunday February 24, 2013 at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born March 10, 1929 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Vernice and Leota (Walters) Echler.
Phyllis was the former owner and operator of Fitzenrider Upholstery located in Stryker, West Unity and Montpelier. She also worked for Beam-Stream in Montpelier and for many years she was a bus driver for the former Sunnyside School.
Phyllis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bryan for 45 years, during which time she loved to be a hostess to all of the visiting missionaries. She loved to spend her time making special greeting cards on her home computer. She is noted for her homemade chicken noodle soup and her fondness for canning.
Phyllis leaves behind her four children, Linda (Paul) Merillat of Stryker, Stan (Diana) Fitzenrider of Brunswick Ohio, Jerry (Linda) Fitzenrider of Montpelier and Ken (Marge) Fitzenrider of Montpelier; granddaughter, Deena Fitzenrider of Montpelier; 11 other grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Raymond (Sue) Echler, Norman Echler and Brownell Echler; sister, Gertrude (Forrest) Brown; and numerous other family members.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Sylvan James Fitzenrider; 3 brothers, Richard, Donald and Roger; and 2 sisters, Glenna and Jeanette.
Visitation for Phyllis will be on Thursday February 28, 2013 from 3-8 pm at the Wilson-Geesey Funeral Home in Montpelier. The funeral service will be held the following morning, Friday March 1, 2013 at 11 am at the First Baptist Church in Bryan with Pastor John MacFarlane to officiate. There will also be a viewing prior to the services from 10-11 am. at the church. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Donations may be made in memory of Phyllis to the First Baptist Church or to the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Condolences may be made online at wilsongeeseyfuneralhome.com.