Phyllis Joyce McDonald

Phyllis Joy McDonald (Johnson) was born May 28, 1936, to Dewey Henry Johnson and Edwina Dorothy Johnson (Stong) and lived a full life until September 2, 2023, when she was reunited with her husband, family, friends and Savior. She was the fifth child born to Dewey and Edwina; all her siblings, Dewey Paul (Sonny), Richard Marvin, Alice Joann, Gerald Lee, Nancy Gayle, and Darlene Sue preceded her in death. Phyllis was married on December 21, 1962, to Ernest M. McDonald (deceased) and was married nearly 60 years at his passing. Their union gave them a son, Ernest M. or Ernie McDonald II (Lisa Murr), and a daughter Susan Hancock (Michael Hancock). Phyllis was a lifelong teacher who graduated from Ball State College with a Bachelor of Science and from Ball State University with her Master of Arts in Elementary Education. She taught her first five years at New Castle Elementary and Eaton Elementary for two years. Ernest and Phyllis moved to Elkhart in 1963 and taught at Mary Feeser for one year. She then became a Penn Harris Madison teacher and taught primarily third grade at Harris and Moran schools for 27 years until she retired and became a full-time grandmother. Phyllis loved her grandchildren Bethany Nguyen (Hancock), Jordan Hancock (Morgan Hancock), Aaron Hancock (Riley Hancock) Jared Hancock, Eric McDonald, and Luke McDonald, and her great-grandchildren Macie Grace, Wyatt, Hunter Joy, and Lillie Anne Hancock. She also loved her many nieces and nephews. When asked what her final words were to all of us left behind, she said, “Praise the Lord, I’m gone!” Phyllis accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at 12 and served him faithfully throughout her life. She was the prayer warrior of the family and frequently said, “The Lord has blessed me so much,” and He has! The Lord blessed this family countless times from generation to generation by showing mercy, love, and blessings time after time. No funeral services will be held as she has elected to be cremated. There will be a private celebration of life by her family members later

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with her care..

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