Phyllis O'Conner's Obituary
View Video Tribute Phyllis Irene O'Conner, 85, won her battle with cancer on April 10, 2013 at the Golden Age Care Center in Centerville. Phyllis was born on March 19, 1928 in rural Monroe County, to Ray and Florene (Kaster) Lockman. She graduated from Moravia High School in 1945 and married William Norris O'Conner on June 21, 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Centerville. Phyllis was a caregiver by nature. She worked as a candy striper at St. Joseph's Hospital in the mid-1940s and gave over 30 years of service to the Condolence Committee at First Baptist Church. She was a second mother to the two children she watched in her home for almost 10 years and cherished all the times she spent with her grandchildren. She ran her cake decorating business and taught classes at Indian Hills. In her 'retirement', she enjoyed clerking at Ben Franklin, planning and hosting family reunions, and cleaning for First Baptist. She is survived by her three children, all of Centerville; Sheila (Loren) Walker, Marlin (Joanne) O'Conner and Ranay O'Conner. Also surviving are grandchildren; Amy (Tim) Schroeder, Mitzi Stice, David (Nolanne) Cox, and Angela (Shad) Oehler, five great grandsons; Patton, Chad, Deacon, Matthew and Drake, step-grandchildren; Ray (Hope) Walker, Robin (Scott) Fielweber, Ryan (Tammi) Walker, and Lisa Rigdon, nine step-great grandchildren and three step-great great grandchildren; one cousin, Anita Proctor of Ottumwa; one uncle, Jack Kaster of Centerville and two sister-in-laws; Enid Walker of Des Moines and Helen O'Conner of Centerville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris, on January 5, 2012, her parents and step-mother Leona Lockman, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Thomas Funeral Home with Rev. Lloyd Johnston officiating. Interment will be in Haines Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service with the family present from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Memorials have been established to Haines Cemetery or First Baptist Church. Condolences and video may be shared at www.thomasfh.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Phyllis O'Conner please visit our Sympathy Store.
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