Phyllis Barlow

Phyllis J. Barlow, age 91, of Waupaca, WI and Winter Haven, FL found peace on Friday morning, May 8, 2015 at the home of her daughter surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 10, 1924 in Plover, WI to Clair and Laura (Webster) Eckels. She attended the one-room school house in Buena Vista, WI and was a graduate of Stevens Point High School at the age of sixteen. After graduating from college she taught English, Drama, and Latin at high schools in Kiel and Manawa. On December 27, 1947 Phyllis and Guy J. Barlow, Jr. were united in marriage in Buena Vista. The early years of their marriage were spent in Appleton where they started their family and were founding members of St. James Methodist Church. In 1965 they moved to Sheboygan until their retirement, after which they split their time between summers at "the cottage" at Pine Lake and winters at their "snowbird" home in Florida. Guy preceded her in death in 1994. In addition to raising her children, Phyllis volunteered her time at Wilson Elementary School and Welcome Wagon, and was a member of the Shoreline Women's Club. Her hobbies included reading, golf, bridge, and scrabble. She was an avid, loyal fan of the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. Loving, sweet and caring, always looking for the best in people, Phyllis took great pleasure in hunting down just the right birthday card each year for her many friends and relatives. Phyllis is survived by her children, James C. (Ligaya) Barlow of Sheboygan, Laura J. (Mark) Deckert of Sheboygan, and William G. (Julie Turner) Barlow of Senoia, GA; daughter-in-law Tina Barlow-Paulson; six grandchildren, Jessica Barlow and her husband, Derek Schmidt, Jacob (Morgann Leach) Barlow, Melissa (Nick) Hietpas, Kristin (Roger) Hunter, Lindsay (Kevin) Schuh, and Justin Barlow; five great-granddaughters, Natasha, Olivia, Greta, Heidi, and Lydia; a sister-in-law, Jeannine Eckels of Wautoma, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, parents, and stepmother, Alice, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert W. Barlow, and her brothers, Webster and Forest Eckels. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 15, 2015 at Zimmer Westview Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Gregory S. Whelton will officiate. A time of visitation and support will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name. Phyllis' family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the excellent staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, especially Paula, RN, for their kindness and care. Special thanks, also, to the wonderful friends and neighbors at Pine Lake and at Hidden Golf Club in Florida who watched over Phyllis, especially in these last few years. You all now have a very special angel watching over you.