McNiel, Phyllis (1921-2008)
MCNIEL, WILLIAMS, OVIATT, LARSON, WACHTEL, FARBER, BARTON, SMITH, BERDAR, WYBORNEY, CHRISTOPHERSON, MOORE, JACOBSON, EKSTROM, KESSLER, HOPKINS
Posted By: Colleen Ossman (email)
Date: 6/15/2008 at 15:02:55
(Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, 28 Jan 2008)
Phyllis Marguerite (Williams) McNiel died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 at Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission, Texas, in the presence of family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday at the First Baptist Church, Webster City with Pastor David Doerr officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5-8 p.m. Thursday and at the church after 9 a.m. Friday.
Phyllis Marguerite McNiel, daughter of George H. and Jessie (Oviatt) Williams, was born Nov. 12, 1921 at the family farm home near Homer. Phyllis was baptized at the age of eight at the First Baptist Church in Webster City where she was a life long member, had filled several offices, and taught Sunday School. As a youngster she was active in Webster County 4-H and was awarded a trip to Chicago as a delegate to the 4-H convention. She attended Webster County Washington Township #1 rural school, graduated in 1939 from Lincoln High School in Webster City, and from Webster City Junior College in 1941 with an AA degree. Following a period of teaching she and two girl friends ventured to California by train in support of the war effort. While employed at Douglas Aircraft she met and married James Terrence (Terry) McNiel on Dec. 25. 1942 in Huntington Park, Calif. She and Terry returned to Iowa in 1947 and engaged in farming for 45 years, retiring on the family farm. Phyllis was employed for 28 years by Naden Industries as receptionist/secretary. Beginning in 1988 they wintered in Weslaco, TX as well as enjoying RV-ing throughout the year. Following her husband's death in 1996 she continued to summer on the farm and winter in Texas at Country Sunshine RV Park where she enjoyed a large circle of friends. She was an avid bridge player and attained life master status last summer. She enjoyed gardening and all aspects of nature. She also loved a challenging game of Scrabble.
Mrs. McNiel is survived by her children Terrianne Louise (Wm. G.) Larson, Stratford; Michael Allen McNiel (Suzanne), Iowa City; Marguerite Elizabeth (Robert A.) Wachtel, Corpus Christi, Texas; and Christopher Irwin McNiel,Webster City. Also surviving are her grandchildren Kim Louise Larson, Emily Marie McNiel Farber, Jessica Anne McNiel Barton, Christopher J. McNiel and Cara Doris McNiel; her great-grandchildren Jeffery Smith, Amber Smith, Benjamin Farber, Abraham Farber, Elsa Farber, Josephine Barton, and already due "baby girl" Barton; her "Williams" nieces and nephew Kay Berdar, Karen Wyborney, Kerwin (Bud) Williams, Kathy Paulsen, Cheryl Christopherson, and Julie Williams; her many "McNiel" nieces and nephews, all raised and residing in western states; and sisters/brothers-in law Ben McNiel, Richard McNiel, Mary Moore and Sue Jacobson. Phyllis and her children enjoyed a family reunion in August at Breckenridge, Colorado, reconnecting with over 30 members of Clan McNiel. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Doris Williams Ekstrom; brothers J. Harold Williams, G. Howard Williams and Charles S. Williams; and sisters and brothers-in-law Lon McNiel, Joyce Kessler, Patrick McNiel, Billie Hopkins.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Webster City or a charity of your choice.
Hamilton Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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