Phyllis R. Gillis

Phyllis R. Gillis, 80, was born in Indianapolis on July 27, 1944 to Buell and Aleene Hibbs. She spent her childhood in Mellott and later moved to Romney. She graduated from Southwestern high school in 1962, married Rick Gillis and together they had a daughter, Candace. Phyllis enjoyed spending her time traveling, going to craft shows, and had a love of antiques that perfectly paired with her maximalist decor. She also had one heck of a passion for fashion. From the beehives of the 60's all the way to the skinny jeans of the 2010's, she was always up on the newest fashion and beauty trends. It is actually quite possible that she single handedly kept Merle Norman in business. She liked to spend Saturday nights with her grandchildren, during which she could often be found on the living room floor playing with tinker toys and receiving likely the worst makeovers of her life. Regardless of the outcome, she could be counted on to laugh in delight. Phyllis had a lifelong love of all things chocolate, a trait that was surely passed down through generations and continues on down the line today. She laughed easily and was overjoyed in the presence of her grand and great grandchildren, with whom she got to spend her final years. She is survived by her daughter Candy (Duane) McDonald, her sister Nancy (Glenn) Baker, grandchildren Ryan McDonald, Whitney Bell, and Austin McDonald, great grandchildren Waylan and Sterling Bell, Kashdyn and Torrin McDonald, along with the many bonus neighborhood children who adopted her as their grandmother as well. She will be greatly missed. May we all remember that life is short, laugh often and eat the chocolate.
In lieu of flowers those wishing may contribute in Phyllis' name to the American Cancer Society.
Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909. Burial will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette.