Phyllis Ann Root, 91, passed away at the Ciel Memory Care Unit in Fayetteville, Ark., on Dec. 7, 2025.
She was born on Christmas Day in 1933 in Galesburg, Ill., to Dorrence Leon Williamson and Eileen Emma Sophia Coziahr.
Phyllis met Donald Wayne Root in the second grade in Peoria, Ill. They were Woodruff High School sweethearts, and they eloped in 1952. The couple spent more than seven decades building a life grounded in partnership, family and faith.
For her entire life, Phyllis poured her heart into loving and supporting her family. While raising her children, she first worked the midnight shift as a switchboard operator at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital. She later earned an associate degree in nursing from Lake Michigan College, and for most of her career worked as a surgical nurse at the hospital, where she made lifelong friends. At age 65, Phyllis proudly completed her bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University. Three of her daughters and a granddaughter also hold careers in the nursing profession.
Phyllis adored babies and animals, especially cats, and the family always had a large menagerie. In retirement, she and Wayne enjoyed traveling, visiting her ancestral Sweden, plus Spain, China, Tanzania, and many other countries. A quilter, Phyllis was for a time a member of the Berrien County Quilters Association. She delighted in collecting Santa figurines and building the traditions that will continue in her large family for generations. A favorite tradition was her Christmas cinnamon rolls that she made every holiday until the age of 85.
Phyllis supported Wayne in his ministry as a pastor’s wife at the six churches they served, including the United Church of Christ in Sawyer. In her role, she taught Sunday school and provided youth group support and steady volunteer service.
Phyllis is survived by five children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. They fondly remember that she would send birthday cards to each person that included the correct number of birthday candles drawn on a cake and rendered in glitter paint.
Her immediate family members, including their spouses and children, are as follows: Jodie Root and Gregory Gilmet, M.D. of Fayetteville and their daughters, Caitlin Gilmet of Portland, Maine, and Kelsey Gilmet of Fayetteville; Valyn Root Bahm and Dennis Bahm of Clayton, N.C., and their children, Andrew Bahm of Clayton, Molly Bahm of Los Angeles, and Joshua Bahm of Chicago; Mark Root, his wife Tina Root, and their daughter, Claire Root of Muskegon, Mich.; Peggy Root Wolff and Jeff Wolff of Reno, Nev., and their sons, Allen Wolff of Reno and Eric Wolff of Las Vegas; Janel Root Groth and Ron Groth of St. Joseph and North Ft. Meyers, Fla., and their daughters; Gillian Korfmacher of St. Joseph and Alyssa Connell of Tacoma, Washington.
The family will gather for celebrations of Wayne and Phyllis’s lives and scattering of joint ashes. A visitation will be held June 26th from 4-6 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, with a service to be held at the First Congregational Church June 27th at 11AM. A luncheon will follow the service. A tree planting memorial will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas with Ciel assisted living staff. Finally, a memorial will be held late summer at the Blue Ridge cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Phyllis online may so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Service Details
Visitation
When
June 26th, 2026 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Service
When
June 27th, 2026 11:00am
Where
First Congregational United Church of Christ – St. Joseph
Address
2001 Niles Ave
St. Joseph , MI 49085
Posted On: Monday, May 4, 2026 4:51 PM
