Phyllis Whaley

Phyllis (Phillips) Whaley, age 86 of Albion, passed away at Harmony of Marshalltown on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Born Phyllis Norma Phillips on March 15,1939 in Marshall County, the oldest of four children to Lewis and Lucille (Dye) Phillips. She grew up in the Van Cleve and Laurel communities, graduating from Laurel High School in 1957.

On February 10, 1962, Phyllis was united in marriage with John William Whaley Jr. at Zion Evangelical Church. From this union, they were blessed with four children: John, Terry, Scott and Crista.

Phyllis worked at Lennox for a few years, before she stayed home with her children and helped her husband on the farm. Later in life, Phyllis worked as a secretary at H & R Block and Diamond Vogel, from which she retired in 2002.

Phyllis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, where she volunteered at the food bank and sang in the choir. Phyllis not only enjoyed listening to music, but she was gifted to play organ and piano for the First Presbyterian Church in Albion. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting and cross stitching. Phyllis loved spending time with her family. She was always a constant supporter for her children and grandchildrens' events from sporting games to various school events over the years. Phyllis was also known to enjoy going to horse shows and shopping, especially the trips to K-Mart. Phyllis was known to feed everyone; no one would go hungry with her cooking and baking skills.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her son, John Whaley; her parents, Lewis and Lucille Phillips; paternal and maternal grandparents; and her in-laws, John Sr. and Margaret Whaley. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, John Whaley Jr.; her daughter-in-law Janelle Whaley along with her children, Terry Whaley, Scott (Sara) Whaley and Crista (Chris Nine) Whaley; her grandchildren, Ben (Kelcie) Whaley, Brian (Kristen) Whaley, Jake (Heidi) Whaley, Nick (Baylie) Whaley, Rachel Whaley, Gabe Whaley, Hannah Whaley, Taylor (Eric) Halverson-Whaley, Cain Whaley, Olivia (Dylan Jacobsen) Whaley, Sofia Whaley and Carson Nine; her great-grandchildren, Harrison, Kam, Grayden, Karter, Brielle, Clara, John, Marie, Ellie, Matteo and Dahlia. Also surviving Phyllis are her siblings: JoAnn (Al) Richardson, James Phillips, and Pam (Bob) Leal; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Per Phyllis’ wishes, cremation rites will take place. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Those in attendance are encouraged to come in casual dress. Memorial donations may be directed to Suncrest Hospice or the Albion First Presbyterian Church.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Phyllis and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.