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GARRETTSVILLE -- Phyllis Jahn Smith Evans, born Oct. 22, 1935 in Troy Township, is flying high with her daughter, Kristen Evans, upon her death, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. She was a resident of Newton Falls since 2012.
She was the daughter of Otto Jahn and Calla Chidsey of Troy Township. Her father passed away when she was a baby, and her stepfather, Benjamin Bieger, helped raise her with her mother.
Phyllis was a proud 1953 graduate of Burton High School. She attended The Ohio State University for a short time, and later in life went back to college at Kent State University, Geauga Campus. She held many jobs in her life -- most were in Middlefield. She was a switchboard operator, secretary, and a sales and order entry clerk. She retired from KraftMaid Cabinetry. She also worked as a bartender part time at Podboy's Golden Finger Saloon and Triple T in Parkman.
She touched a lot of lives, and she ran her life the way she wanted. She didn't have an easy life but made the best of the hand she was dealt. She was a single mom and raised my sister, Kris and I by herself, taking on several jobs. She was not afraid of hard work and we both got our work ethic from her. She was "mom" to a lot of our friends in our neighborhood as we were growing up. Phyllis had her own style and was proud of it. Even in her eighties, she had her hair colored with streaks, depending upon the season or her mood. She did have a colorful and exciting life and lived it to the fullest.
She loved the Browns and Guardians (Indians), BINGO, going to the Casinos, especially in Niagara Falls, Canada, craft shows and Chinese auctions.
Phyllis leaves behind her daughter, Shelley (Chuck) Kellerman; her two grandsons, Michael Fackler and Tyler (Scarlet) Evans; and three great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Robert Evans and Brantley Killing.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather; and her daughter, Kristen Evans.
Cremation has taken place and there will not be a service, per her wishes.
Phyllis asked if anyone would like to donate to one of her causes, please make a donation, in her memory, to TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) of Warren, or Portage County APL (Animal Protective League).
The family would like to thank County Club Rehabilitation Campus of Newton Falls for their care, after her fall in November. You not only helped her, but Chuck and I, as well, through the transition.
Please visit www.oakmeadowcremation.com to view this tribute and to send condolences to the family.
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