Phyllis June (Winegar) Gill

Phyllis June (Winegar) Gill left this life to go on to her final adventure on December 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 17, 1926, and raised by her parents, Clyde E. and Estella M (Burkwalt) Winegar, at the south end of Duck Lake. She was raised at the store at the lake and loved being there. She was devastated when her parents sold the store, but she went on to the next adventure of living in the Village of Marengo. In both locations, she found true relationships of a lifetime.

In Marengo, she met and married the love of her life, Douglas Gill, and together they raised two wonderful sons. As a family, they moved back to Duck Lake in 1958 and spent 17 years there at her beloved lake. They then returned to Marengo and spent the rest of their lives together until May 17, 1988, when Doug passed away.

Phyllis had a wide variety of jobs and truly enjoyed working. Once again, the friends she made became lifetime friends from each location–she was a loyal friend. She worked at Hayes Albion, Union Steel, Albion Lettershop, City of Albion, State of Michigan, Mid-Counties Employment and Training, and Little Toy Drum. Her favorite job was at Mid-Counties where she was in a position to help other people obtain employment. She loved the idea of helping people. She was raised that way by her parents, who helped many customers during the Depression.

In 2001, she opened her gift shop, The Wishing Well, in Springport and later moved her store to Albion. Once again, she enjoyed being in retail. She also enjoyed being a vendor at gift and craft shows for many years, always with the support of her sons.

Phyllis joined Albion American Legion Auxiliary in 2013 and became a project fundraiser for the American Legion Post 55 and Auxiliary. She arranged and directed projects and enjoyed the companionship of her friends at the Post.

Her greatest love was time spent with her family–her sons Craig and Kent and Craig’s children Dione, Scott, and Kris. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Doug, her parents, and baby grandson Christopher.

Phyllis thought of the islands of Oahu and Maui; Hawaii is her second home and loved her many trips there to spend time with her son Kent.

Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023 at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068, where the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Pastor Ralph McCarty will officiate the service. Private interment will be in Marengo Village Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Marengo Nondenominational Community Church. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.