Phyllis Marie Keel , 80, of South Whitley, passed away at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

Born on December 21, 1944, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, she was a daughter of the late Abe and Betty (Shepard) Vanderpool.  Growing up in Prestonsburg, she graduated from Prestonsburg High School in 1964.

On September 20, 1964, she married Robert E. Keel.  The couple have always made their home in South Whitley, raising two children.

In addition to being a homemaker, Phyllis worked at the former Chamberlin Products in South Whitley and then over 30 years for Stumps/Shindigz, South Whitley.

A home, she enjoyed gardening both flowers and vegetables.  She enjoyed crochet and like to read a variety of books.  She leaves behind her two dogs Shadow and Bandit.  She was a member of the New Hope Freewill Baptist Church in Warsaw.

Surviving is her husband, Robert; children, Robert Brian Keel and Belynda (David) Hurd, both of South Whitley; grandchildren, Greggory Hurd and Amy Hurd of South Whitley; a brother, Ike Vanderpool of Andersonville, TN and a sister Sarah Jones of North Point, FL

Additionally, she was preceded in death by eleven siblings.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.  The funeral service is 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with interment to follow at the South Whitley Cemetery.

Please direct memorials to final expenses c/o Smith and Sons.