Phyllis J. Smoker, 88, of Wanatah passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 15, 2022. She was born June 29, 1933, in Bunker Hill, Indiana, to Alva and Opal (Childers) Buckalew and graduated from Clay Township High School in 1951. Phyllis was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Evening Belles Home Extension Club, and Clinton Township Election Board. She loved being a homemaker, having raised the tasks of baking, cooking, and gardening to an art form. Her skills as an accomplished seamstress were a particular source of pride recognized with championship awards all the way up to the Indiana State Fair.

On June 19, 1954, in Wanatah she married James Smoker who survives along with their children; Rita (Todd) Shireman of Wanatah, Greg (Debora) Smoker of Wanatah, Susan (Scott) Carpenter of Cassopolis, MI, Jeff (Angela) Smoker of Wanatah; her sister, Marjorie Arndt of LaCrosse; grandchildren: Clinton, Nathan, Jacob, Matthew, Joseph, Melissa, Morgan, Mitchell, Madison, Sarah, and Trenton, and great-grandchildren: Millicent, Raelyn, Natalie, Catherine, Sadie, Elijah, Stella, and Brody. She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Mary Davidson, Wilma Fultz, and Clifford, Weldon, Donald, and Herrell Buckalew.

A private funeral service was held Wednesday at Salem United Church of Christ and burial followed at Salem Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Salem United Church of Christ organ fund or audio/visual fund.

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