Phyllis Ann York

Phyllis Ann Spearing York was born January 1, 1929 at home in Perry, Iowa to parents LaVerne Morris Spearing and Alma Marie Crispin Spearing.

Phyllis graduated from Perry High School in 1946. She worked as a classified advertising manager and circulation manager at the Perry Daily Chief newspaper. Later, she was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper at Farmer’s Hybrid Seed Corn and as a teller and bookkeeper at Perry State Bank.

On July 6, 1963 she married the love of her life, Carroll Lee York of Adel. She transitioned from office worker to a working farm wife. Together, Carroll and Phyllis raised their four sons, Gregory, Randall, Kent, and Daniel on the farm. To feed this crew, Phyllis baked bread once or twice a week, making a dozen loaves at a time. Her delicious bread became legendary with extended family and in the Panther and Adel area.

She was a member of Friendly Neighbors, S and V, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and TTT. Phyllis served on the Dallas County Hospital Board and the ADM High School Scholarship Board. She also led a Cub Scout Pack.

Phyllis was an active member of Panther Creek Church of the Brethren. She served as a leader of the youth group, teacher of Sunday school and Bible school, member of the altar committee, and member of Women’s Fellowship.

Painting was a great joy to her. She painted on canvas, saw blades, rocks, and barn boards. In the 1980’s, she began a business where she made replicas of buildings and houses by cutting a board to the shape of a structure and painting the colors and details of the building. She painted hundreds of replicas for customers from all across the country. She continued to paint till her final days.

Phyllis enjoyed cooking, sewing, and crafts. She and Carroll also traveled extensively around the country and loved to fish together whether at nearby ponds or the big lakes of Canada. She loved living in Panther and having her family near for frequent gatherings that she organized.

Phyllis was preceded in death by parents; Alma and LaVerne Spearing, brother Keith Spearing, and sisters Marjorie Courtney, June Bailey, and Diana Springer.

She is survived by husband Carroll; sons Greg (Sue) York, Randy (Deb) York, Kent (Michelle) York, and Dan (Kathy) York; grandchildren Christine (Michael) Meggison, Caren (Nate) Linderman, Randy York II, Alex (Tasha) York, Hannah (Nick) Caranci, and Samantha York; great grandchildren York, Tess, Jack, Everly, Jaxon, Tucker, Marley, and Nash.

Memorials to Panther Creek Church of the Brethren. Online condolences maybe left at www.caldwellparrish.com

Phyllis Ann York, 93, of Adel, passed away September 25, 2022 at Kennybrook Village in Grimes. A visitation will be held Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel. The funeral service will be held  Friday, September 30, 2022, 10:30 A.M. at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren, North West of Adel. Burial will follow the service at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery.