Phyllis Focht

Phyllis Focht, 79, of Cressona, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 2018, at Luther Ridge in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Born on May 7, 1939, on the family farm in Kent, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Bernice Keefer Kessler.

Phyllis was a lifelong member of Platt Center Church in Kent. She graduated from Cromwell High in Creston where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She retired from Honeywell in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, after 32 years of employment. She was a member of Cressona Fire Co. No. 1, where she served as a trustee. Phyllis was an EMT for 35 years. She was a volunteer with the Pottsville Lion’s Club Ambulance for many years, and was crew leader on Crew 2. She also ran as a volunteer with the Tremont Ambulance for many years. Phyllis is remembered for her dedication and her willingness to help patients and other EMTs.

She was preceded in death by twin brothers, Lloyd and Floyd Kessler; brother Frederick Kessler; a sister Miriam Newton; a grandchild Rochelle Ashley and the love of her life, Dave Nye.

She is survived by her children, Brenda Oliver and her husband Joseph, Frank Yanosky and his wife Deb, Joann Black and her husband Dave, Leanna Dietrich and Carol Lipscomb; 10 grandchildren, Marie, Carl, Anne, Michael, Natasha, Angie, Bill, Amanda, Karen and Dwayne; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Fayrene Kuker and her husband Larry, James Kessler and his wife Marilyn, Janice Phillips and her husband Ross; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 6, at St. John’s Reformed Church in Freidensburg, Pennsylvania. Rev. Matt Kenitzer will officiate. Relative and friends can call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday morning at the church. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Grove Chapel Cemetery in Kent.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Lumber River Ministries, 7244 7th St. Rd., Lumberton, NC 28358 or to Platte Center Church, 2396 Eagle Ave., Creston, IA 50801. Contributions will be accepted by the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Donald J. Butler Funeral Home in Minersville, Pennsylvania. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Phyllis's memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com.