Phyllis Glen

Phyllis Hope (Wilkins) Glen

Phyllis Hope (Wilkins) Glen, 92, was born on Feb. 12, 1922, in Battle Creek, MI  to  Alfred T. and  Esther A. (Patterson) Wilkins. She was the sixth of seven children. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1940 where she skipped school only once to go with her future husband Gordon to MSU to get pine seedlings which they planted on 12 Mile Rd. in Newton Twp. where they still stand today.

She married Gordon K. Glen on May 3, 1941 in Defiance, OH. They had four children, Gordon Charles, Jane Ann Stewart, Sally Jo (Kenneth) Thornton and Betsy Lou (Robert) Schultz. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Stirling, Maurice, Neil and Duane, her sisters, Ruth and Amber , her husband, Gordon and her granddaughter, Melanie Kay Lewis. She is survived by her children, six grandchildren; James Stewart, Kristina Thornton, Philip (Marcy) Thornton, Daniel Lewis, Gordon (Whitney) Lewis, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

After graduating from high school, she was employed as a seamstress by Klein's Dress Shop where she worked until her marriage. She and  Gordon  went  to a justice of the peace who would not marry them because she was one year too young. When they got to Defiance she was surprisingly one year older. Just the right age!

Phyllis was a member of the Union City United Methodist Church, where she was an organist and church caterer for many years.  She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was treasurer, and was Chairman of the Mary Circle and a member of the United Methodist Women. She also served as an officer in the Albion District United Methodist Women. She was a 4-H sewing leader with the Abscota 4-H Club for many years, and was a member of the Abscota Extension club.

She was a gifted seamstress, and made most of her children's clothing, even her daughters' wedding dresses, and several prom dresses. She was a charter member of the Cal-Co Quilters Guild, and made many quilts and several banners for the church. She was honored by the Guild as the second Quilter of the Year.

There will be a gathering of friends and family Wednesday, July 23, 2014 from 6-8 pm at the Putnam Funeral Home in Union City, MI. Memorial services will be held Thursday July 24, 2014 at 1 pm at the Union City United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Union City United Methodist Church. You may leave an online tribute by visiting www.putnamfuneralhome.com.