PHYLLIS ELIZABETH SHALER (COLE)
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. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church of Lowell, 621 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 with 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 Pride.
