Phyllis Johnson

Phyllis Louise Johnson, age 91 of Battle Creek, passed away, Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. She was born July 3, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio the daughter of Clifford S. and Emma C. (Gehring) Stouffer. Phyllis attended public schools in Columbus, as well as The Ohio State University. In 1941 she began work as Secretary to the head of the Department of Fine Arts at Ohio State University until 1947 when she became Secretary to the Vice President. In 1949 she moved to Battle Creek where she was Secretary to Dr. Hills, Shipp and Verity. In 1952 she became Secretary to Mr. Osterholm, Manager of Battle Creek Sanitarium until 1957 when she joined the office of Civil Defense at the Federal Center, later known as Staff College, FEMA, from which she retired in 1979. Phyllis was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her husband, Romuald preceded her in death in 1994. She is survived by a nieces and four nephews. Phyllis was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In the summer of 1999 she met Father Evanson Njogu from Kenya. He studied in Rome and was ordained in 1989, coming to Bronson, Michigan to assist Father Fritz. They developed an immediate and lasting special friendship which has continued through the years. Subsequently, Phyllis met and formed a lasting friendship which has continued to this day with Father Joseph Xavier. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with entombment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with the Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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