Phyllis Elaine Sprenkle

Phyllis Elaine Sprenkle, 76, of Sheldon, MO passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 in Carthage, Missouri. She was born December 16, 1949 in Nevada Missouri to Ted and Darlene (Phipps) Sheridan.

Phyllis attended all 12 years of school at Sheldon, graduating high school with the class of 1967. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in 1971 with a degree in Education. Her Masters in Education Degree was from Pittsburg State University and her Education Specialist Degree in Administration was from Southwest Missouri State University.

She began her teaching career back at her home school at Sheldon where she spent her entire professional career in education rising from teacher to Librarian to Principal to Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent when she retired in 2008. During retirement years her support of education issues and teachers continued. She was an external evaluator of After-School programs for several school districts in southwest Missouri. She judged several FBLA contests at MSSU. She made presentations for active teachers about Missouri Retired Teachers Association and PSRS retirement system. She was recognized as Outstanding Alumnae of Sheldon R-VIII Schools in 2022 and received the Nevada Chamber of Commerce Education Pacesetter Award in 1999

Phyllis was dedicated to her family, her church, her community and any cause she was compelled to champion-and there were many. Her ability to put other's needs before her own was a hallmark of her character all of her life. She was a gifted leader and a loyal friend and was admired by those who were lucky enough to know her.

Her community roots ran deep, beginning in her home church which she attended all her life, Sheldon Christian Chuch. She was active in several professional organizations including: Sheldon School Alumni Association, Vernon County 4-H Alums, Vernon County Retired Teachers Association, Vernon County Democratic Committee, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Sheldon Community Betterment, Sheldon Revitalization Association, Sheldon Library Board, Sheldon Vision Project, Region M Board of Directors, Moss House Board of Directors, and Sheldon Food Pantry. One of her latest projects was the food distribution project and the Sheldon School Building Restoration project.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Paul; her son, Vincent (Dana) of Richland, Washington and her grandchildren: Hayden and Noah Sprenkle, also of Richland, Washington and Devin (Jesus Lopez Nolasco) Sprenkle of Bellingham, Washington. She is also survived by two sisters: Delila Brown of Lee's Summit, Missouri and Delores Honey of Carthage, Missouri. Also, she leaves a best friend and soulmate, Eileen Leininger and several loving cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Darlene Sheridan, a daughter Valerie Sprenkle, and brother Lynn Sheridan.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14 at Sheldon Christian Church in Sheldon with Pastor Colton Cockburn officiating. Interment will follow in Sheldon Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sheldon Christian Church, Sheldon Revitalization Association (SRA) "Old School Project", or American Association of University Women (AAUW).