Phyllis Flanagan

Phyllis Flanagan passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimers. Born in Indianapolis, Ind., on Sept. 30, 1926, she was a daughter of Chester and Lillian (Elliot) Edwards. Her father was a union carpenter and landlord. Her mother managed the home and the family business. Phyllis was better known to family and friends as Jean. She graduated from North Side High School, the class of 1944. While in school, she worked for the Tom Berry Music Store and did war work making parachutes at the General Electric plant on South Anthony. She attended Indiana University at Bloomington and Fort Wayne. In 1949, Jean married Dan Flanagan, A World War II, U.S. Navy veteran. Her husband was the son of Indiana Supreme Court Justice Dan Flanagan Sr. and his wife Mimi Cass. The newlyweds moved to South Bend, while Dan finished his education at Notre Dame and attended Law School there. Over the years, three of the four sons were born to the couple while they resided in Vetville on the Notre Dame campus. After returning to Fort Wayne with her family, during the Christmas Season, Jean was Wee Willy Wand at the Wolf and Dessauer Department Store, assisting Santa Claus, who was the future Hollywood actor, Joe Higgins. In the 1960's, she returned to GE on Taylor Street and worked in the payroll department until her retirement in 1992. Jean was very active in the Republican Party, the United Way of Allen County, and also the Fort Wayne Ladies Bridge Club. She loved watching football and golf on television. After retirement, she traveled with family to Europe, Mexico, Jamaica, and throughout the United States. Everyone enjoyed Jean's personality, her lively intellectual conversations, and her great love of animals. Her grandchildren, lovingly referred to her as Bobo. Jean is survived by her son, Kevin Flanagan of Fort Wayne and Chiang Mai of Thailand; six grandchildren,  Bridget Flanagan of Fort Wayne, Carrie (Flanagan)(husband Ben) Bussell of Louisville, Ky., Darcy Flanagan of Louisville; Matisse Flanagan of Chicago, Erin Flanagan of Liberty, Mo.;and Caitlin (Flanagan) Neilson (husband, Kade) of Liberty, Mo  six great-grandchildren, and seven nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; and also by her three sons, Dan (formerly of Flossmoor, Ill.) and Terry and Timothy (both formerly of Fort Wayne). She was also preceded by her brother, Donald Edwards (formerly of Fort Wayne).

 Burial is 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Cosperville Cemetery in Noble County.  A Celebration of Life is 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Don Hall's Factory. Arrangements by Midwest Funeral Home & Cremation Society.

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