Obituary of Phyllis Maxine (MacGruder) Deis

Phyllis Maxine (MacGruder) Deis

Born September 24, 1925 in Marion, OH.  Died December 7, 2020 at Sprenger Healthcare in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Predeceased by her husband Carl J. Deis.  She and Carl were married 61 years. Carl passed away in 2008.   Also predeceased by her sisters Donna MacGruder and Jean Martin.  Survived by her four sons John (Beverly), Ron (Renee), Don (Donna), and David (Michelle). Phyllis is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 Phyllis spent most of her life in Dayton, Ohio.  A graduate of Parker High School in Dayton, Phyllis was accepted into the cadet nurse program at Miami Valley Hospital where she obtained her designation as a Registered Nurse with the class of 1946.  She married Carl Deis in 1947.  After John was born, she began her career as a full-time Mom.  Ron, Don, and David followed in succession.  Phyllis applied her nursing skills in various ways; attending the cuts and bruises of four sons, working at the grade school with the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and working part-time as an industrial nurse.  Phyllis was an active participant in the Parent-Teacher Association, serving as President of the Kemp Elementary PTA.

Phyllis was well known for her sense of humor, armed with an incredible memory for jokes along with a quick wit.  She was a skilled volleyball player and played power volleyball well into her 70’s.  Phyllis had a nice voice and an excellent memory for song lyrics so she enjoyed sing-alongs at both Friendship Village of Columbus and Benton House of Bluffton where she lived in her later years. She also enjoyed board and card games, particularly Scrabble and Euchre.

Phyllis was devoted to her family.  Her four sons will be forever grateful for her legacy of love and humor. 

In lieu of flowers please donate in Phyllis’ memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) or the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation (mvhfoundation.org).

Below are the links for the memorial service at the Bluffton St. Andrew by the Sea church on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11am with the Reverend Daniel Burbage presiding. The service will be on Youtube for viewing at any time.  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7nZR_FdWJXQaW3yeNZGDYw

https://hhiumc.com/bluffton-live-streams/