Phyllis J. Stiles

Phyllis Jean Whisler Stiles was born January 12, 1938 in the Whisler Family farmhouse established in 1856 southwest of Panora, Iowa in Guthrie County, Iowa. Her parents were Paul and Alberta Reeves Whisler and her grandparents were Jesse and Julia Wilcox Reeves and Frank and Hollie Smithson Whisler. Phyllis died June 9, 2009 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa . She was 71 years 4 months and 27 days old. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Words of comfort were offered by Pastor Lynn Gunderson, of First United Methodist Church, Coon Rapids, Iowa. Burial was in Dallas Township Cemetery, Dawson, Iowa. Phyllis would attend many schools in Iowa and Fallbrook, California before she graduated from Perry High School in 1957. Hard working and industrious, she was always appreciated by those who employed her. As a young teenager, she worked as a car-hop, waitress, and was employed even during the winter months at Overton Ice Cream Shop in Perry. Later she worked at "Mutt" Smithson's Triangle Fruit and Grocery Store in Perry as a clerk, cashier, and any needed position. Phyllis found time to be a Majorette with the Perry High School Marching band. A talented artist, she enjoyed all of God's creation to the fullest. Always a farm girl at heart, she was courted by a farm boy, Donald Stiles, who had returned from the U.S. Navy and was farming in partnership with his parents, Lloyd and Louise Stiles. Soon after their first date, the friendship of several years turned quickly to love and the couple were married on June 29, 1958. Phyllis instantly became a great asset to the farming partnership. Her multi talents greatly enhanced the family farm and their two daughters, Deanea and Donna. Phyllis was deeply loved by the Stiles family. She successfully raised their daughters in their little house on the prairie and had the great fortune to have a special young man, Matt Johnston, become a son-in-law. Phyllis loved having family gatherings in her home and everyone was always welcome. Their large gardens, family raised produce and meat from home raised and fed livestock never could taste better. Phyllis enjoyed bird watching, all nature, traveling, being a 4-H leader, and entertaining those who had no place to go on Holidays. She always respected her elders, learned from their wisdom, and set an example for new generations, sharing her deep knowledge of all living things. In her later years, she enjoyed tracing her roots as a member of the Guthrie County Genealogical Society and shared her findings freely. Don and Phyllis were able to visit their adult children and so many relatives in many states. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers Robert and Darrell Whisler. Phyllis is survived by her husband of 51 years, Donald; her daughters, Deanea Stiles of West Des Moines, IA; and Donna Johnston and husband Matt of Euless, TX; three sisters: Joyce Armstrong of Jefferson, IA; Lois Pompe and her husband Jack of Slater, IA; and Rita Revell of West Valley City, UT; sister-in-law Peggy Whisler of Corona, CA; nieces, nephews, many cousins, and friends.