Phyllis Neeley, 92, of Oblong died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on October 14, 2026, at 5:05PM at the Haven of Ridgeview after an extended period of failing health.
Phyllis Joan Smith was born July 14, 1934, in Casey, Illinois, the first child of Darrell Wayne and Ruby (Hays) Smith. Phyllis graduated from Robinson High School in 1952. After high school, Phyllis worked as a nurse trainee at Allen Sanitarium in Robinson. This would be life changing. One of the patient’s Phyllis was attending was Sarah Neeley. Sarah asked Phyllis to write her son, John, who was serving in the Army in Austria. This was the beginning of a lifelong romance. After exchanging letters for a year, the two started dating when John returned from the Army. They were married on June 12, 1955, in Robinson becoming inseparable for the next 60 years until John’s death on October 18, 2015. From the moment of their marriage, they would be known as John and Phyllis.
In December 1956 they welcomed their first child, Scott. Eleven months later they welcomed a daughter, Shari. Eleven years later they welcomed their third child, Brett. Phyllis spent the early years of her married life as a homemaker and mother. She was very involved in her children’s lives serving as a Sunday School teacher, an assistant Cub Scout den leader, and Campfire Girls leader. Also, she was a founding member of the Sunbeams Home Extension group and would be an active member for 60 years, as well as, serving as president of the Crawford County Home Extension Board.
When John expanded his businesses by opening a TV and appliance store. Homebody Phyllis was called upon to watch over the store. Quiet, shy Phyllis became very outgoing, never meeting a stranger. This is when Phyllis came into her own. After years of supporting John in his business and local government pursuits, Phyllis became more involved in community events. She organized the vendors for Fall Follies for several years; served on the Academic Foundation Scholarship team; and was one of the officers of the Food Bank. The Oblong Chamber of Commerce honored John and Phyllis with the Whole Hart Award for their years of community service.
Phyllis loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her beloved husband, John, her children and grandchildren, her church family at Berlin Congregation Christian Church, her multitude of nieces and nephews, and her Cardinals, the baseball team and the birds.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Esther Simon Smith, her beloved husband, John, her brother, Robert Smith, and her sisters, Shirley Lingle and Beverly Mullins and her in-laws, Lawrence and Sarah Neeley. She is survived by her children, Scott (Victoria) Neeley of Centreville, VA, Shari Neeley of Geneva, IL and Brett
Neeley of Oblong. Her grandchildren, Nathaniel (Taylor) Neeley of Richmond, VA and Caitlin (James) Wilde of Sterling Virginia. A great granddaughter, Willow Neeley of Richmond, VA and player to be named in March of 2027. A brother, Medford (Claudette) Smith of Laughlin, NV. A sister-in-law, Linda Smith of Spotsylvania, VA, and her dear friend, Martha Dennis, as well as, dozens of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of Haven at Ridgeview and Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice for their care and compassion during the last years of Phyllis’ life.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Pulliam Funeral Home, 302 E. Main St., Oblong, IL 62449 with Brother Bill Ikemire officiating. Interment will be in Berlin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Pulliam Funeral Home, Oblong.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oblong Community Christian Food Pantry, 112 N. Range St., Oblong, IL 62449 or the Oblong Fire Department, 111 W. Main St., Oblong, IL 62449.
Pulliam Funeral Home, Oblong is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
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