Phyllis A. Kissel

Phyllis A. Kissel, 90, of Princeton passed away at Ascension St. Vincent Medical Center on April 20th, 2026, surrounded by her family. Phyllis was born on March 30th, 1936, in Gibson County to Charles and Gertrude (Tennis) Thompson. She graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1953 and from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1956.

Phyllis worked as a nurse for three years on the Orthopedics floor at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. On January 17th, 1959, Phyllis married John G. Kissel in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. She was a member of St. Joe Catholic Church.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling, gardening, and sewing. She was a former member of Psi Iota Xi and the Gibson County Homemakers Club. She volunteered as a Gray Lady at Baldwin Heights Elementary School, as a religious education teacher at St. Joe, and as a member of the Princeton Community High School Marching Tiger Band Boosters. She was a homemaker and she was very involved in the operation of the family farm, including bookkeeping responsibilities. Phyllis loved spending time with family and in her later years, especially enjoyed playing with and reading to her great-grandchildren. The book, “Frog in the Kitchen Sink” by Jim Post, was a fan favorite.

After the death of her son, Larry, in a railroad crossing accident, Phyllis led a campaign to prevent further deaths at railroad crossings in Gibson County. She visited Washington DC with her husband, John, lobbied state and federal regulators, and was instrumental in the installation of railroad crossing arms in Gibson County.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Larry; and her siblings, Marcella Boyd, Ida Mae Thompson, Paul Thompson, Ralph Thompson, Norma Recker, Cornelia Thompson, Charlene Thompson, and Maxine Benevides.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, John; children Pat (Ron) Campbell, Mark (Amy) Kissel, and Debbie (John) Kresse; grandchildren Clay (Megan) Campbell, Clint (Megan) Campbell, Haley (Tyler) Ziliak, Gavin (Maci) Kissel, John (Rachel) Kissel, Seth Kissel, Larry (Stephanie) Kresse, Erin Kresse, and Jack Kresse; and great-grandchildren Layne and Lucas Campbell; Millie and Eden Campbell; Raleigh, Charlotte, and Violet Ziliak; Linnie and Sybil Kissel; and Layla and Max Kissel.

Phyllis lived a very full, happy life and she will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

Phyllis received excellent, compassionate care from the nurses at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Phyllis A. Kissel Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund”. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The funeral mass will be held at 11:30 AM Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton officiated by Father Gary Kaiser. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Princeton. Visiting hours will be held from 9 until 11:00 AM at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton on Tuesday.

Online condolences can be given at ColvinFuneralHome.com where you can share a memory of Phyllis with her family. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kissel family.

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