Phyllis A. (Memmer) McConnell

Phyllis A. (Memmer) McConnell, 81, of rural Francisco passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the RiverOaks Health Campus in Princeton surrounded by her family.  She was born May 1, 1944, in rural Mackey the first of six children to Elmer “Dick” and Catherine (Kiesel) Memmer. 

She attended St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Princeton High School in 1962 and from the Evansville School of Practical Nursing in 1963.  After nursing school, she worked as an L.P.N. at Welborn Hospital.

She and Mike married on February 3, 1968, and Phyllis became the quintessential farm wife and mother who provided for her family by sewing clothes, gardening, canning food, and decorating their home for every season. She was a wonderful cook, always cooking from scratch having dinner ready at noon and supper at 6:00 including providing meals for farm hands during planting and harvest seasons.  Throughout her time as a devoted wife and mom, she quietly and humbly provided for her family while managing the many challenges of daily farm life adopting the motto, “You can’t scare me I’m a farmer’s wife.”

She enjoyed reading books, ceramics, cross stitch, crocheting, and quilting, along with many other crafts.  Phyllis loved to travel with her husband and together they visited all 50 states, mainly traveling in their Airstream. 

She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader, Room Mom, PTO member, and sports booster club member.  She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren’s sports and activities.  She volunteered for many years at the East Gibson Food Pantry.

As a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Oakland City, IN, she along, with her husband, was awarded Simon Brute Award from the Diocese of Evansville recognizing their lifelong commitment to Christian stewardship and service to the parish and community. She was also a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, and a Eucharistic minister taking Communion to shut ins.  She was a member of the Josephines lady’s group at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sew-It-Seams Home Ec Club, and a special group of quilting friends.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 57 years, Mike McConnell; daughters; Sara McConnell of Francisco, Emily Schwomeyer (Pat) of Oakland City, and Molly Harris of Evansville; grandchildren, Paxton and Lucy Schwomeyer and Issac and Isabelle Harris; brother, Tom Memmer (Jodie); sister, Peggy Zenthoefer; brother-in-law; Don Nurrenbern; sisters-in-law, Mary Memmer, Becky Richeson, and Jill Larson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jerad McConnell; son-in-law, Kurt Harris; sisters, Bonnie Nurrenbern and Lois Banet; brother, Danny Memmer; brothers-in-law, Jerry Banet and Rick McConnell; sister-in-law, Kanda Walden.  

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Oakland City, IN, with Fr. Bernie Etienne as celebrant.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in rural Princeton.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton and from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Thursday at the church. There will be a Rosary prayed at the church at 9:00 am Thursday prior to the visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the East Gibson Food Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 2, Oakland City, IN, 47660.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online at colvinfuneralhome.com The Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve Phyllis’s family.

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