Phyllis Thelander

Phyllis Thelander, of Batavia, IL, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at Michaelsen Health Center in Batavia, IL.

She was born May 2, 1924, in Geneva, IL, the daughter of Emil and Frances Nelson. She was raised in Batavia under the loving care of her mother Frances and stepfather Hugo Johnson.

Phyllis married Joseph White and was blessed with four girls. A few years after the youngest daughter Jodi was born, Joe passed away. She then took her tribe of four to Tulsa, OK and met and wed William Dillon; soon after two boys joined the family. Phyllis moved back to Batavia and reconnected with an old high school classmate Donald Thelander. They married and moved to Michigan.  They returned to Geneva, IL upon retirement, where they spent the remainder of their life together until Don’s passing in 2003.

Phyllis was an avid bowler and collected many trophies over the years. She enjoyed antiquing, garage sales, flea markets and doll collecting. She was a member of the Antique Doll Club and had a shop in Geneva. The Chicago Bears gave her many weekends of enjoyment, as she cheered them on.  Her bright-blue eyes and sense of humor will be missed by all.

Phyllis also enjoyed her family of fur/feathered companions that graced her life missing all of them as they left.  They eagerly wait at the rainbow bridge for her return and treats.

She is survived by daughters Devra Wagner (Chicago); Cheryl Blakesley (Rockford); Connie Porter (Geneva); Jodi (Mike Lirot) White (St.Charles); sons Todd (Debbie) Dillon (Newark, IL); Scott (Jan) Dillon (Elburn); 10 grandchildren; Troy Wagner, Krista Gustafson, Brooks(Emily) Porter, Ryan Porter, Aaron Keup, Abra (Brandon) Harris, Alyse Keup, Morgan, Garrett, and Nicole Dillon; 6 great grandchildren, Conley Cretan, Payton Gustafson, Ellie Keup, Fred Porter, Autumn Harris, and Asher Dillon.  She is also survived by three step daughters: Bev Thelander, Sue (Jerry) Kuenster, and Pat Thelander, and many dear friends.

She is proceeded in death by her three husbands and three grandchildren, Monty Blakesley, Joshua & Joseph Keup and a step son, Steve Thelander.

A visitation for Phyllis will be held Friday, October 26, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of her celebration service at 7:30 p.m., at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street, Geneva, IL.

Interment will be held privately at River Hills Cemetery in Batavia, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Anderson Animal Shelter, 1000 S Lafox Rd, South Elgin, IL 60177.

For information 630-232-8233 or visit malonefh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis Thelander, please visit our floral store.