Dr. Phyllis Hessler-Gray, age 96, of Plymouth, Indiana, passed away on March 27, 2024 at Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home of Plymouth, Indiana. She was born on June 18, 1927 in Marshall County, Indiana to Donald W. and Anna Marie (Espich) Muffley.
Phyllis was a retired educator and school psychologist. She received her doctorate from Ball State University and her graduate and undergraduate degrees from Indiana University. She taught elementary students in Plymouth, undergraduate students at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, where she was chosen by the students to receive the Dad’s Association Distinguished Faculty Award in 1983. She also taught graduate students at Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Kentucky. Phyllis was a School Psychologist in the J.E.S.S.E. school corporation in Plymouth.
Phyllis was an active and dedicated member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Plymouth, where she was a church schoolteacher, served on the Vestry, Altar Guild, was an usher, volunteered at the Non-Food Pantry, and was a member of the Women’s Prayer Group. She was an alumnae member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority and was also a volunteer at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. Phyllis was also a Board Member of the Cancer Association of Marshall County, Indiana.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Dean) Meyer of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; her grandchildren: Bridget (Justin) German of Somerville, Tennessee; and Brian (Jamie) Meyer of Nashville, Tennessee; her great-grandchildren: Everett German; Ainsley German; Logan Meyer; and Amber Meyer; her sister, Linda Allen of Plymouth; her brothers: Jimmie Muffley of Newport News; Virginia and Richard Muffley of Plymouth; her sister-in-law, Betty Muffley of Ottawa, Ohio; and her nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was preceded in passing by her husbands, William D. Hessler, married in 1946-his death 1986; Victor R. Winrotte, married 1988-his death 1992; and Eugene R. Gray, married 1995-his death 2016. Also preceding her in death were her siblings: Frederick Muffley; Billy Muffley; Beverly Muffley; Judith Brinkman; and Herbert Muffley.
Visitation will be on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church (400 N. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563), followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in New Oak Hill Cemetery (Plymouth, IN).
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church (400 N. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563).
Thank you to all our friends and community for your support during this difficult time. Deaton-Clemens Van Gilder Funeral Home is honored to be providing services in celebrating the life of Phyllis and wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family. Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories, or notes of condolence with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.
