Phyllis Elaine Pulse, age 94, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away at 3:25 a.m. Monday September 28, 2020 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. She was born June 12, 1926 in Ottawa, Illinois, the daughter of Arnold W. and Helen Eisenhauer Gerding. On October 20, 1945, she married Shelby T. Dye. He preceded her in death. On December 4, 1976, she married John Pulse. He preceded her in death in 1990.
Phyllis received her education in the Ottawa, Illinois school system. She and Shelby had nine children, whom they raised in Streator, Illinois. She was of the Protestant faith and was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and sang in the church choir. She worked as a training supervisor for the handicapped at Streator Unlimited. She was active in the P.T.A., and held several local and district offices. She was also a Girl Scout and Cub Scout director. She and her family moved to Henderson County in 1970.
Phyllis worked as a certified nurses aide at Burlington Care Center and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab, retiring in 1995. She was a member of the Buchanan Community Chorus in Monmouth for many years, the Stronghurst Community Choir and Sing Along Gals, and was active in the Community Senior Citizens. She was also a member of the Stronghurst United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and the Sunshine Circle.
Survivors include four sons, Alan E. Dye, Thomas R. (Sandra) Dye of Rogers, AR, Keith E. Dye of Streator, IL, Philip D. (Suzanne) Dye of Stronghurst, two daughters, Laurie (James) Powers of Glen, MS, Wendy K. (Greg) Lush of Harmony, NJ, three sisters, Helen (Joe) Franz of Clearwater, FL, Beverly Gerding of Houston, TX, Marilyn (George) Kuk of Joliet, IL, one brother, Don (Arlene) Gerding of Florence, OR, sixteen grandchildren, four step grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and eight step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, one sister, Dorothy Juell, one son, Kenneth Dye, two daughters, Karen Dye and Marcia Pionke, and one infant great grandson, P.J. Llanes.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 Saturday, October 3, 2020 in the Carman Cemetery. No visitation is planned. Please visit Phyllis’ obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
