Phyllis Jean Justus, 80

Phyllis Jean Justus, 80, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2010, in Huntsville, Ala. She was in good health until the last few months.

Phyllis was born July 20, 1929, in Ithaca, Mich., to Harry and Gladys Caldwell Harms.

Phyllis grew up in the Ithaca area. At 12, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Min Reuben Koehn. To these vows, she remain faithful. Phyllis’ Christian life was meaningful to her.

In Michigan, she met Roy Kenneth Unruh. They married Sept. 25, 1949. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for 43 years. To this union were born two sons and two daughters.

The first years were spent farming and working in Michigan. They couple relocated to Walnut Hill, Fla., in 1954 to continue farming. Those early years were sometimes difficult with clearing the land to get it ready for crops.

Phyllis helped by taking in ironing for others. In her quiet way, she loved and served her family and friends, also making special memories with many young girls who spent time in her home.

On Nov. 28 1992, Phyllis met with the disappointment suddenly of losing her husband. This brought many lonely times.

When Phyllis’ daughter suddenly lost her husband, Phyllis found usefulness in helping with her daughter’s family. This continued for a number of years when a sudden blessing came along in the form of Min. Edmund Justus.

On Nov. 13, 2005, Phyllis married Eddie Justus and moved to Bonners Ferry. With this union came many blessings as two families blended together beautifully. This union was blessed with three short years after which Phyllis’ husband was again taken away leaving her alone again.

Those left to cherish memories are their children Roger and Jane Unruh of Honey Grove, Texas; Gale and Jane Unruh of Fountain Run, Ky.; Diane and Stan Redger of Lakin, Kansas; Denise and Wayne Faircloth of Guntersville, Ala.; Carol Isaac of Millersburg, Ohio; Richard and Sandra Justus of Bonners Ferry, Beth and Walt Giesbrecht, Charlie and Karen Justus and Barb and John Unruh, all of Othello, Wash.; David Justus of Wasilla, Alaska; and Marj Seaman Justus of Dumas, Ark.

Other survivors included brothers Lowell Harms and his wife, Janis, Dale Harms, Don Harms and his wife, Doris; sisters Dorothy Benner Johnson, Ruth Benner and her husband, David, and Thelma Boeckner and her husband, Gerald; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Phyllis’ husbands, parents, a brother and a son-in-law preceded her in death.

A funeral was held Feb. 22 at Walnut Hill Congregation in Florida.