Obituary of Phyllis Ann Burkey
Phyllis Ann Jennings was born in Centerline, Michigan on November 14, 1935. She was one of four daughters born from the union of the late Lawrence and Norma (Coombs) Jennings. She was a 1954 graduate of Bedford High School.
Phyllis married the love of her life, Julius Burkey, on August 24, 1957 in Trilby, Ohio. The couple would be blessed with three of their own children, and she would care for the needs of her family as a homemaker. She enjoyed challenging her mind with puzzles, loved to read, was a talented quilter, and each year canned from her own garden. Phyllis loved sharing meals with her family and baking Christmas cookies to dole out to everyone. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren proudly receiving the title of the “alligator grandma” (because of the elevator in her building and the inability to pronounce the actual word)! Phyllis was a member of the Carleton Community Baptist Church and the Frenchtown Township Fire Department Ladies Auxillary.
Phyllis Ann Burkey, age 85, of Monroe passed away at Fountainview of Monroe on Wednesday; September 1, 2021. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her husband Julius Sr. on December 14, 2000; a sister: Lois Rendle; a grandson: Wade Miller; and a special uncle: Cliff Coombs, whom she was raised with.
To cherish her memory she leaves three children: Kathy (Jim) Miller of Monroe, Julius “J.B.” (Ruby Lynn) Burkey Jr. of Monroe, Jeffery (April) Burkey of McBain; two sisters: Norma (James “Jim”) Lajiness of Erie and Patricia “Pat” (Richard) Brighton of Temperance; grandchildren: Jamie (Justin) Billau, Joel (Angie) Burkey, Julia (Richard) Roggow, Jeremy (Melissa) Burkey, MacKenzie Mentel, Madelyn (William) Johnson, Kristy McMullen, Heather (Daniel) Allen, Angie (Daniel) Slaughterbeck, Cory (Stephanie) McMullen, Leslie (Andrew) Lay, and Alysen Kittle; twenty-six great grandchildren with one on the way; two great-great grandchildren; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday; September 7, 2021 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday; September 8, 2021 also at Merkle’s with Dr. John Piippo pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for burial.
Memorials in her honor are suggested to the National Diabetes or American Heart Association. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.