Phyllis Wham

Phyllis Wham, age 96, of Centralia, died at her home on Sunday, November 30, 2014. She was born in Centralia on October 6, 1918, to Joseph Madison Wright and Jeanette Pilcher Wright. She married James B. Wham on June 25, 1942 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He predeceased her in May of 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Joe Ann Wright Bearly, and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Wham Ziskin. Phyllis is survived by their daughters, Sarah Cary and Jennifer Price, and grandchildren Andrew Wham Cary, Stephen Wham Cary, Rebecca Ann Chandler, Susannah Jane Price, James Daniel Price, Katharine Elizabeth Price, and Mary Karen Price, as well as great-grandchildren Zachary Cary and Samantha Cary. She is also survived by her brothers-in–law, William B. Wham and Dr. Bert Ziskin, her sister-in-law, Joan Wham, her son-in-law, Daniel Price, and nieces and nephews Frankie Jo Bearly, Ann Wham Gerwin, William Douglas Wham, Jeanne Wham Hardt, Charles Ziskin, Benjamin Ziskin, Joseph Ziskin, James Ziskin, William Ziskin, David Ziskin, Mary Beth Ziskin, and Nancy Ziskin Deneen. Phyllis attended Franklin School and Centralia High School, Class of 1937. She graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, as a physical education major. She and Jim were married during World War II. After the War, they moved to Champaign while he finished law school. After graduation, they returned to Centralia to raise their family. Other than those brief periods of time, Phyllis lived in Centralia, the town she dearly loved. She was a wife and mother, and a devoted member of the First Methodist Church. She was a member of the Foltz Sunday School Class, later known as the Crusaders Class. For several years, Phyllis was the owner of “The Weed Shop”, an antique and art shop on East Broadway. Phyllis was the first woman elected to the Centralia City Council. She served as councilman a total of twenty years. She loved trees. She loved flowers. She loved books. She loved a beautiful sunset. She loved her family. She loved her church. She stood her ground. She never forgot a friend. Funeral services for Phyllis Wham will be held Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Centralia with the Reverend Rusty Beals officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the services begin. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Centralia Roof Fund or SSM Hospice and may be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Phyllis Wham

October 6, 1918 - November 30, 2014