Phyllis (Kessler) Focht

Phyllis Focht, 79, of Cressona, passed away Sunday morning at Luther Ridge, Pottsville. 

 Born on May 7, 1939 on the family farm in Kent Iowa, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Bernice Keefer Kessler.

   Phyllis was a lifelong member of Platt Center Church, Kent, Iowa. She graduated from Cromwell High in Creston where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She retired from Honeywell in Pottsville after 32 years of employment. She was a member of Cressona Fire Co. No. 1. where she served as a Trustee. Phyllis was an EMT for 35 years. She was a volunteer with the Pottsville Lion’s Club Ambulance for may years, and was crew leader on Crew 2. She also ran as a volunteer with the Tremont Ambulance for many years.  Phyllis is remembered for her dedication and her willingness to help patient’s and other EMT’s.

 She was preceded in death by twin brothers, Lloyd and Floyd Kessler, brother Frederick Kessler, a sister Miriam Newton, a grandchild, Rochelle Ashley and the love of her life Dave Nye.

  She is survived by her children, Brenda Oliver and her husband Joseph, Frank Yanosky and his wife Deb, Joann Black and her husband Dave, Leanna Dietrich, and Carol Lipscomb; 10 grandchildren, Marie, Carl, Anne, Michael, Natasha, Angie, Bill, Amanda, Karen and Dwayne; 9 great grandchildren; siblings, Fayrene Kuker and her husband Larry, James Kessler and his wife Marilyn, Janice Phillips and her husband Ross; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

   A Funeral Service will be held at 12 Noon Saturday at St. John’s Reformed Church, Freidensburg.  Rev. Matt Kenitzer will officiate. Relative and friends can call at the church on Saturday morning from 10 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Grove Chapel Cemetery in Kent, Iowa.  

  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the Lumbr River Ministries, 7244 7^th St. Rd., Lumbrton, NC. 28358 or to the Platte Center Church, 2396 Eagle Avenue, Creston, IA. 50801. Contributions will be accepted by the funeral home. 

     Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Phyllis’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com

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