Phyllis Marie Kailing's Obituary
In Loving Memory - Phyllis Marie Kailing - Big Rapids
Phyllis Marie Kailing (Withers), 78, of Big Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born March 6, 1946, the daughter of Maurice and Alice (Everitt) Withers. Phyllis married Robert John Kailing on July 27, 1963.
She was a long-time member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Phyllis spent most of her life cleaning homes for many great local families. She loved to cook, play cards, garden, feed and watch her birds, and spend time with those close to her. Phyllis loved her family fiercely and was always up for a good time and laughter. She was the life of the party and always the last one to leave. Everyone knew her laughter which drew many. If you ever wanted an honest opinion about something, Phyllis was the one to ask. It was rare that she would mince words about what she was thinking.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Joseph (Eva) Kailing of Big Rapids, Mollie (Vaughn) Cook of Big Rapids, Maurice (Tammy) Kailing of Paris, Jill (Luke) Baumgardner of Paris, Jodi (Matt) Doxtater of Bloomfield, IA and Erin (Mike) Dusenberry of Encinitas, CA; her 5 siblings, Alicia (Larry) Games, David (Peggy) Withers, Jessie (Duane) Kailing, Dean (Mary) Withers and Dale (Dinah) Withers; and sister-in-law Lois Withers. She had twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and took great pride in. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, son Timothy, brothers Thomas and Gaylord Withers, and sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Russell Tague.
There will not be a day that goes by that we will not miss her laughter, honesty and love for life.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids, with Father Jegar Fickel as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Phyllis’s family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 13th at the church with the Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Phyllis’s name may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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