MCGREW, Phyllis E.
Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Aunt went peacefully into the presence of her Lord June 9, 2010. Phyllis was born July 26, 1921 in Itasca, IL to William and Esther (Nichols) Wilk. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in Michigan in 1939 and worked as a telephone operator there during the War Years. After marriage in 1945, she started her family as a farm wife near ElPaso, IL before relocating to a farm near Gobles, MI in 1960. She was employed by General Telephone Co. in Gobles and Allegan for a number of years. Phyllis was proud of her membership in the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association. She also gave many years of service as a 4-H Club leader in Illinois and Michigan. Phyllis will be remembered for her love of family, sweet smile, and big heart. She found delight in traveling and working in her yard and garden. Her leisure activities included knitting, crocheting, cross stitch and crossword puzzles. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Gerrit Laseur, husband of 59 years, Elza McGrew, baby daughter, Elizabeth, and her brothers, Harvey Wilk, Allen Wilk and Benjamin Laseur. She is survived by her sons, Howard (Beverly) McGrew and James (Anita) McGrew of Saline, MI; her daughter, Marilee McGrew of Lansing, MI; special niece, Martha (Eston) Etter of Gobles, MI; grandsons, Christopher McGrew of Novi, MI, Jeremy (Erin) McGrew of Harrison City, PA, Ben McEachen of Carlsbad, CA, and granddaughter, Cara McEachen of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Family and friends will celebrate Phyllis's life with a luncheon on Saturday, June 19th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at her home in Gobles. She will be at rest beside her husband, in Hamilton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in her memory to the Arthritis or Alzheimer Foundations, or the Hospice of your choice. Messages of comfort for the family may be left at: borekjennings.com

Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on June 13, 2010