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Phyllis Nester Obituary
July 27, 1934 - April 3, 2025
Belleville, Illinois - Phyllis J. Nester, nee Hiob, 90, of Belleville, IL, born Fri., July 27, 1934 in East St. Louis, IL, died Thurs., April 3, 2025 surrounded by her family at Dammert Center, Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.
Phyllis was co-owner of Nester Realty (established in 1980 with her husband, A. J. Nester). She worked in the real estate industry from 1978-2019 (when she retired at 85). She was a member of the Southwestern Illinois Board of Realtors, Illinois Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, St. Clair County Legal Auxiliary and St. Clair Country Club (where she played tennis, golf and bridge with her family and friends). Phyllis volunteered at the Catholic Urban Program, Pregnancy Care Center, Salvation Army and Hincke-Sense Home for retired priests, and was a CYO coach. She loved attending her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Elizabeth's and Memorial Hospitals.
As a youth, Phyllis was a swim instructor and involved in athletics and girl scouts. She graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School where she was a cheerleader. Prior to attending the University of Illinois, she met A.J. Nester. They both attended U of I where she was a Gamma Phi Beta sorority sister and obtained her bachelor's degree, and A.J. earned his JD. They were married shortly thereafter.
She was preceded in death by her, husband, A.J. Nester, her parents, Edward and Susan Faye, nee Harris, Hiob, and a sister, Jane Maier.
Surviving Phyllis are her 7 children, Carole Hummel of Belleville, IL, Dr. John (Catherine) Nester of Zionsville, IN, David Nester of University City, MO, Claire (Michael) Leopold of Swansea, IL, Anne (Steve) Knight of Seattle, WA, Daniel (Nicole) Nester of Glendale, MO and Greg (Tina) Nester of Belleville, IL; 21 grandchildren, Nicholas Hummel, Elizabeth (Jake) Schurman, Daniel (Fiancée Hailey) Hummel, Catherine (Dr. Evan) Armington, Dr. William (Minden) Nester, Alex (Kristin) Nester, Caroline (Patrick) O'Hara, Kelly Nester, Michael Nester, Jane Nester, Julia Nester, James (Hallie) Leopold, Kathryn Leopold, Joseph (Stephanie) Knight, Phyllis (Nick) Bland, Max Knight, Charles Nester, Matthew (Fiancée Mary) Nester, Andrew Nester, Mary Nester, Jack Nester; 15 great grandchildren; and 1 great granddaughter (due in July).
Express condolences at www.kurrusfh.com <http://www.kurrusfh.com>.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Catholic Urban Program or the Parish of your choice.
Visitation: Visitation from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 8707 West Main St., Belleville, IL 62223.
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon, on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Belleville, IL with Fr. Robert Morin, OMI officiating. A private family interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville, IL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis Nester
Sponsored by Belleville News-Democrat.
5 Entries
Joe Hummert
April 21, 2025
Saddened to hear of your mom's passing John. Your entire family will be in our family's prayers. (Althoff classmate)
Donald Graham
April 8, 2025
Pat and I offer our condolences. Your mother was a wonderful woman and like Pat, coached CYO.
Don and Pat Graham of the Springfield Blessed Sacrament parish
Jim Mendillo
April 8, 2025
My sympathies to all the Nester family..Phyllis was truly a warm and kind woman, and I valued her friendship.
LISA FLACH
April 7, 2025
I always enjoyed chatting with Phyllis while visiting my Dad, Ben Shuppert, at Dammert. The conversations that Phyllis, Loretta and Ben had at the dining tables were always interesting. We certainly shared a lot of laughs. It amazed me at how many years Phyllis and Loretta were friends. They shared many special memories of growing up together and then raising their families. Phyllis always spoke so highly of her children and grandchildren. Prayers to the family and hopes that special memories ease the pain of your loss.
Roxann Halsey
April 6, 2025
Phyllis was such a leader in real estate and I totally respected her decisions which she also respected mine. She was a great boss and also a very wonderful friend. I will always remember her in my heart as such a great leader in real estate. I loved working for her.
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Memorial Events
for Phyllis Nester
Apr
11
Funeral services provided by:
Kurrus Funeral Home - Belleville1773 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL 62223
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