Feb. 8, 1928 — Nov. 2, 2014

Phyllis Hemenway, 86, died Sunday evening, Nov. 2, at Caretell Inns Assisted Living in St. Joseph, Michigan surrounded by her family.

Her life began in Aurora, Illinois on Feb. 8, 1928, to Lawrence and Mary Myrkle. On May 12, 1946 she married Clem “Dick” F. Hemenway at the Methodist Church in Dowagiac. She attended Dowagiac High School and graduated in 1945.Together they raised five sons, Richard (Mary Ellen) Hemenway of Decatur, Harley (Deb) Hemenway of Decatur, Philip (Pam) Hemenway of Dowagiac, Kim (Denise) Hemenway of Dowagiac and Mark (Nancy) Hemenway of Dowagiac. She was the proud grandmother of 17 grandchildren, two step grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Phyllis also leaves two brothers, William “Whitey” (Sharon) Myrkle of Bangor, Michigan and Ralph (MaryLouise) Myrkle of Decatur, Michigan. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clem, one brother Larry Myrkle, one grandson, Harley Hemenway, Jr. and a great-granddaughter, Holly Hemenway.

Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She worked for a brief time at a couple of businesses in Decatur but was a homemaker most of her life. She enjoyed music and loved to sing and performed for many local talent contests. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac and sang in their choir for more than 50 years. She was also a member of the Lawrence Dance Club and attended the Senior Services Center of Decatur later on in life. She loved traveling with her husband to Drummond Island and Way Dam in the UP of Michigan where many fish were caught and consumed. She also loved spending time vacationing in Florida. She enjoyed reading and making cookies for her grandchildren and spending time being a grandmother. She was very fond of her dog, “Lucky” and how they cuddled to the end.

Her friends and family will gather on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church on Lowe Street in Dowagiac where a funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Hamilton Cemetery in Decatur. A luncheon will be served at the Decatur VFW hall following the committal service at the cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to her church, Hospice or Caretel Inns. Please take the opportunity to sign her guestbook and leave condolence or a memory of Phyllis at www.clarkch.com