Phyllis P. Saben, age 93, of Biggsville, Illinois; beloved mother,
grandmother, and great grandmother passed quietly and peacefully away
from this life at Seminary Manor in Galesburg on Saturday morning July
13th, 2019, Phyllis was born on December 21, 1925 in Burlington, Iowa
in a family home located in what is now known as Dankwardt Park. She was the daughter of Samuel and Pearle Johnson Stevenson. She was raised in Henderson County, attended Bluff Dale and Crystal Lake grade schools,
and graduated from Biggsville High School with the class of 1943. She
married Lee F. Saben on July 7th, 1944, in Canton, Missouri. He preceded
her in death on December 17th, 2011. Phyllis was a beautiful mother who
loved her family, knew no stranger, and enjoyed giving of herself to
others. She devoted her life to being a loving farm wife, mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother, community member, and friend to all.
She was very close to her own dear sisters, and they shared wonderful times through the years. She was always happy to spend time with any family member. Phyllis and Lee enjoyed big band music and attended a number of band performances over the years. They enjoyed dancing and belonged to area dance groups. She was a member of several clubs and organizations in Henderson County, including the Biggsville Country Club, band boosters, and served as an election judge for many years. She enjoyed
and supported her children in their various activities. She loved
traveling and adventures. Phyllis was an avid football fan and looked
forward to the beginning of football season. She was also fond of doing
word searches. She was a longtime member of the Biggsville United
Methodist Church. In the past, she served as treasurer and on church
committees.
Survivors include four daughters, Priscilla Saben of Biggsville, Cynthia
(Michael) Schwab of Metamora, IL; Janet (Michael) Landon of Galesburg,
IL; and Jacqueline (Todd) Hamilton of Westlake, Texas. Also surviving
are grandsons Matthew (Janet) Schwab of Bloomington, Zachary (Tiffany)
Schwab of East Peoria, and Tyler and Drake Hamilton and granddaughter
Kaylee Hamilton, all of Westlake, Texas; one step granddaughter, Kris
(John) Pettit of Geneva; and one step grandson Brendon Landon of
Palmyra, PA. Also surviving are three great-grandsons, Ethan Schwab,
Finn Schwab, and Wesley Blair-Schwab, and five step great grandsons, Sam
and Jake Landon, and John C., Josh, and Joseph Pettit. She is also
survived by one brother-in-law, Gary (Barbara) Saben of North Brook, and
many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, her
husband, and eight brothers and sisters; Dorothy Ford, Milton, Homer,
Art, Sammy, Rayne Johnson, Bill, and Alice Craig.
A funeral service for Phyllis P. Saben is planned for 11:00 am on
Thursday July 18th at the Biggsville United Methodist Church in
Biggsville. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17th from 5:00 to
7:00 pm at Biggsville United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the
Biggsville Township Cemetery in Biggsville, Illinois. Memorial funds
have been set up for either the Biggsville United Methodist Church of
the Henderson County Food Pantry in both Gladstone and Oquawka,
Illinois. Turnbull Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements,
To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit
www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
