WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Phyllis Joan Mandigo, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange, Ind.
She was born April 13, 1925, in Stroh, Ind., a daughter of the late Thad and Emily (Ernsberger) Hall.
Phyllis resided in Sturgis since 1947, coming from Howe, Ind., and was a graduate of Lima High School in Howe with the class of 1943.
She continued her education at the Fort Wayne Lutheran School of Nursing, where she received her diploma as a registered nurse. She and her fellow Lima High School graduates have enjoyed continuous round robin gatherings since graduation.
On Aug. 24, 1947, she married Fred Mandigo Jr. in Howe.
Phyllis was a dedicated registered nurse and had been employed at Sturgis Hospital for 40 years, from 1969-1976 she was in the O.B. department retiring in 1986.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis where she served her church as a deacon and as a member of the choir. Her beautiful alto voice will be forever missed. Phyllis was a charter member of the Southwest Michigan Perinatal Association Board and was instrumental in the establishment of the Sturgis Gateway Fitness Run. Phyllis had a true love of music and instilled that love and appreciation to each of her children. She enjoyed gardening and singing but was happiest when she was able to be doing for others. She was recognized for involvements in the city by being named Sturgis Citizen of the Year in 1981.
Phyllis is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 65 years, Fred; three daughters, Victoria (Robert) Braquet of Katy, Texas, Virginia (James) Keen of Eaton, Ohio and Valerie (Emmett) Cosgrove of South Haven; one son, Vaughn (Debbie) Mandigo of Sturgis; seven grandchildren, Scott (Jessica) Braquet, Nicole (Daniel) Matson, Ed Braquet, Benjamin Keen, Michelle (David) Clouse, Marci (Clinton) Lehman, and Patrick Cosgrove; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Waldo Hall; two sisters, Doris Briggs and Margaret Hall.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating the life of Phyllis J. Mandigo will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Pastor Robert Keim will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the Sturgis Hospital Guild Nurses Scholarship Fund or Juvenile Diabetes Summer Camp.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
