Phyllis Whitlatch

Phyllis Whitlatch
(January 8, 1934 – December 25, 2020)

Phyllis Whitlatch, 86, of Tower Hill, IL, passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, December 25, 2020 in Columbus Transitional Care in Columbus, IN.

A private family graveside service will be held in Tower Hill Cemetery, Tower Hill, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Tower Hill Christian Church, Tower Hill, IL or the Carnegie-Schuyler Public Library of Pana, IL and mailed to Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565.

Phyllis was born on January 8, 1934 in Pana, IL, the daughter of Edward Christian and Beulah (Maloney) Schoch. She attended, all eight grades, in the one-room country schoolhouse, Knobs. While a high school student she won several typing contests, including a national championship. After graduating from Tower Hill High School, in the Class of 1951, she attended Greenville College. She married Harold “Dean” Whitlatch on July 12, 1952. Phyllis was a homemaker who read voraciously, loved to travel and enriched others’ lives with her skillful piano playing gift, having been a church pianist from the early age of seven. She was a lifelong member of the Tower Hill Christian Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy C. Wagner of Columbus, IN; grandchildren, Troy Whitlatch (Heather) of Decatur, IL, Jamie Muscato (Mark) of Decatur, IL, Bryce Wagner (Rosemary) of Columbus, IN and Jennifer Wagner (fiancé Ryan Miller) of Portland, OR; and six great grandchildren. All of these children were her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean Whitlatch on March 18, 2001; son, James E. Whitlatch on April 3, 2010; sister, Phoebe R. Schoch on July 18, 2014; and granddaughter, Courtney.