Phyllis Walwer

She is survived by a son and daughter, Michael Walwer of Springfield and Mindy (Kris Montgomery) Walwer of Shelton, CT. Further surviving are three grandchildren: Patrick (Jennifer Whitmer) Walwer, Lisa Williams, and Bradley (Milena Pisani) Walwer, along with four great-grandchildren: Landon Williams and Olivia, Vera, and Theo Walwer. Her husband, Roland “Wally” Walwer, one infant son, Randall, and one daughter, Susan, preceded her in death.

Phyllis was born in her grandparents’ farmhouse on the Mayfield-Metropolis Road near Paducah, Kentucky on Sunday, January 24, 1932. The daughter of Paul and Marjorie (Harris) Tisdale, she moved with her parents and sister, Judy, to Peoria during WWII. She wed Roland “Wally” Walwer on July 30, 1950, built a house in Washington Estates in 1957, and celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to her husband’s death in 2017.

Phyllis was homemaker and folk artist. She was an active member of the Heart of Illinois Tole and Decorative Painters Society, attended many of their national conventions, and acted as local secretary for many years. She won several art awards over the years and taught painting, carving, and crafting classes in Washington. Her continually renovated home and gardens were a source of great pride and were featured in several local house tours.

Phyllis was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, the Washington Jayceettes and was local president of the Homemakers Extension. She supported her children as homeroom mother, Vacation Bible School teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, and as a high school Band Booster and Choral Booster board member. It was her idea to hydrate the Marching Panthers after a parade and to begin the Central Grade School ice cream social/carnivals that continued for decades.

Cremation rites have been accorded and an interment will be held at the Swan Lake Memorial Gardens in Peoria on Friday, July 30, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be given to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West. 217-544-5424