Phyllis Rodenhouse

On January 5 Phyllis was received into the arms of her Lord Jesus having lived a full and active life. Phyllis was born May 18, 1921, in Massillon, Ohio; the daughter of Galen and Kathleen (Ray-Jones) Glidden. Phyllis was a graduate of Wheaton High School in Illinois. In 1943 while a student at Michigan State College, Phyllis was selected to be trained as an Engineering Aide for Pratt Whitney Aircraft Corporation in Connecticut. Following WWII, The Lansing State Journal hired her to be a reporter for the Society page.

In 1947 she married Louis Rodenhouse. With their four children they moved to South Haven in 1955. Phyllis was an organizer. In the South Haven Public Schools through the PTA she began Junior Great Books groups and the Reading is Fundamental program for which she received the Award for Outstanding Service in 1987. In 1998 she was elected as the first female Elder at Hope Reformed Church where she has been a member for over 60 years.

Active also in AAUW book groups and the annual book sale, Phyllis has enjoyed South Haven Garden Club and found fulfillment in the Stars writing group. In recent years she self-published her autobiography, “My Fair Adventure”, and some of her poems, “Sharing”. She delighted in carrying on her mother’s English tradition of teatime. Her friends and family will remember her kindness, generosity, insights and intellect. She was an inspiration for us all. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Louis in 1997, and brother, Donald Glidden.

Surviving are her children Ann (Brock) Hesselsweet; Jane (Jim) Ward; Nick (Marianne Moore) Rodenhouse; Susan (Rick) Moore; sisters Barbara Lucas; Kathleen Niemeyer; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Catherine Rodenhouse and Marian Grant; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Hope Reformed Church in South Haven with Rev. Curry Pikkaart officiating. Her family will receive friends at 11 A.M. prior to the service.