Phyllis Joan Emmert passed away peacefully at Crown Pointe Assisted Living in Lebanon on Saturday, October 12, 2024, after failing health over the last several years. Phyllis was born on February 28, 1931 in North Salem, Hendricks County, IN. to the late John and Elsie (Smith) Johnson. Phyllis was a 1949 graduate of Jackson Township High School. She was married to Billie L. Emmert Sr. on May 24, 1949 by Rev. Ora McDaniel in Advance, IN. They celebrated their 75th anniversary this past spring but have been sweethearts since they first met through 4-H as teenagers. Phyllis is survived by children: Kathy (Phil) Lemper, Garrett, IN, John (Vicki) Emmert, Darlington, IN, Billie Jr. (Sherry) Emmert, Jamestown, IN and Brenda (George) Stunyo, Grand Rapids, MN. She was known as Granny to her twelve grandchildren: Beth (Greg) Riffe, Phil Jr.(Tara) Lemper, Tim Lemper, Miranda (Rich) Serletic, Julie (Clinton) Taylor, Janell (Tom) Anderson, Nathan Emmert, John (Amy) Farmer, David (Annah) Emmert, Christine Stunyo and Tom (Erin) Stunyo. Also, surviving are 19 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Additionally, Phyllis is survived by brother Joe Johnson of Advance. Predeceasing her were brother Gerald Johnson, grandson Scott Stunyo and sisters-in-laws Utokia Bush Anderson, Jean Johnson, and Dorothy Johnson. Phyllis was raised on a grain and livestock farm in Boone County west of Jamestown. She was a tomboy, who helped her dad on the farm as a young teenager when her brother Gerald served in WW II. Her dad never liked the name Phyllis and always called her Suzy. Phyllis met Bill as a teenager through 4-H showing dairy cows, namely her prized Brown Swiss Cow named Carrination. As a 17-year old high school senior, Phyllis competed with more than 200 girls from throughout the state to be crowned the 9th Annual Farm Bureau Indiana State Fair Queen. Phyllis and Billie lived, worked together, and raised a family on the family farm south of Advance all their married lives until 2020 when they moved to Crown Pointe Assisted Living in Lebanon, IN. Throughout the years, they raised corn, beans and small grains, dairy cows, cattle and layer chickens. They also raised Purebred Hampshire hogs. At one point in time, they had been raising Hampshire hogs longer than any other breeder in the state. As a young wife and mother, she spent most of time caring for countless chickens and her children. As a 4-H alum, she inspired her children and grandchildren to follow in her footsteps. The family hosted 4-H pig and production hog sales for many years. They sold hogs in 23 states, and four foreign countries. In 1979, Phyllis hosted the first “Farm City” tour where she explained to the public how a modern working swine farrow to finish operation worked. Besides her numerous duties as a farmwife, which included doing field work, being errand girl and “nurse-maiding” purebred Hampshire hogs. Phyllis was also one of the first women to be a rural mail carrier on Route 2, Jamestown. She was a mail carrier for 23 years and was awarded the National Safety Council’s Safe Driver’s Award. Phyllis’ homemaking talents included sewing, freezing and canning her garden vegetables. Her sewing talents sent her to the Indiana State Fair where she won overall champion with her dress and coat in 1973. Not only did Phyllis sew clothes for herself, but she also made them for her children too. She even made both daughters’ wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. She liked to read anything she could get her hands on plus doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was active in the East Christian Church and later the Advance Community Christian Church. Memberships included U & I Extension Homemakers, the Boone County Porkettes, the S & C Club and the Boosters at Granville Wells School, as well as the Boone County Farm Bureau. Phyllis loved her family, friends and community. Phyllis was known for her rebellious spirit, bullheadedness, outspokenness, and direct personality. There was no doubt where you stood with Phyllis. Funeral arrangements are by Strawmyer & Drury Funeral Home of Lebanon. The visitation and funeral will be at the Advance Community Church in Advance, IN. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 16, 2024m 4-8 p.m. and funeral on Thursday with visitation one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at the Old Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Advance Community Church in her memory.
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