Phyllis was born on June 26, 1926, in Oconto, Wis., to the late Gordon and Nora (Degeneffe) O'Neil. On Nov. 27, 1947, in Oconto, Phyllis married Bernard F. Riederer, who also preceded her in death on April 13, 1997.
Phyllis is survived by two daughters, Catherine L. (James) Besyner of Duncanville, Texas, and Sue A. Hurlbut of Mishawaka; a son, Brian B. Riederer of South Bend; three grandchildren, Kim Hurlbut, Ryan and Lindsay Besyner; a great-grandson, Tyler Hurlbut-Hurst; a sister, Rita Robenhorst of Menominee Falls, Wis.; and by three brothers, Norbert (Joan) and Dick O'Neil of Kenosha Wis., and Norman O'Neil of Soquel, Calif.
Phyllis was a registered nurse, graduating from the Holy Family Hospital Nursing Program. She was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church, the Church Circle and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the auxiliary of the V.F.W. Post in Manitowac, Wis.
Phyllis was a devoted mom and grandma who loved to do needlework and go on long walks.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a wake service will be held at 2 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 1, in St. Monica Church, with Fr. William Sullivan officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to St. Monica Church, 214 W. Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka, IN 46544.