Phyllis Marie TermanCOLUMBIA CITY – Phyllis Marie Terman, 83, formerly of rural Columbia City, died at 11:55 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at Markle Heath and Rehabilitation, Markle, where she had been a resident since 2017.
She was born in Whitley County on April 29, 1936, a daughter of the late Grover and Beulah Huffman Gaerte. Her formative years were spent in Etna-Troy Township, Whitley County. She graduated from North Webster High School.
For 32 years, she worked for Dana Corporation, Churubusco, in the returns department.
She was an avid quilter. She quilted anything from placemats to handstitched quilts. She enjoyed music, gardening and travel.
She is survived by four children, Robert E. Nulf, Albion; Janet S. Nicholson, Florida; Karen A. Pettigrew, Fort Wayne; and Sherry L. (John) Strader, Tennessee; step-children, Cindy (James) Semler, Churubusco and Christopher Terman, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Sharon Heidt, Florida; and a brother, Larry Gaerte, Warsaw.
Additionally, she was preceded in death by three grandchildren; a brother, Junior Gaerte; and three sisters, Mary Kneller, Margie Gordon and Kathryn Thorn; son-in-law, Wayne Pettigrew; and a daughter-in-law, Melodye Nulf.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 at Nolt Cemetery, 2400 S Washington Road, Columbia City. Arrangements were entrusted to Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
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Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
