On Monday, March 16, 2020, Phyllis Mikles, loving sister, wife and mother of three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, passed away at the age of 90. Phyllis was born on November 25, 1929 to Emmett and Florence Marquart.
Phyllis received her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Michigan State College in 1951, and worked as a Certified Medical Technologist well into her 60's. She married Dr. Howard Mikles, DVM in 1951 and raised three sons, Max, Noel and Garth. Both her husband Howard, and son Noel, predeceased her. Phyllis and Howard lived the first few years of their marriage in Prophetstown, Illinois, moved to Arizona in the late 1950s and soon settled into Coolidge, Arizona, where they lived the rest of their lives.
Most people in Coolidge, from the 1960s through the rest of the century, knew Phyllis. In fact, one year she was named the City of Coolidge Citizen of the Year. She was known for her quick wit and infectious smile. She rarely had an ill word to say about anyone or anything. In all of their endeavors she gave her unflinching lifelong support to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One of Phyllis' passions was volunteerism. She volunteered for her city, county, state, and country. She volunteered for education at elementary, junior high, senior high and the community college levels. She volunteered at the local and state level of her church.
It was the hope of her sons Max and Garth, grandchildren Samantha, Chandler, Clifton, David and Alan, and great-granddaughter Ryann and great-grandson Vaevictis, to celebrate Phyllis' life together in person with Phyllis' friends and extended family. However, because of the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has decided to have the Celebration of Phyllis Mikles' life through GatheringUs.com memorial services on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 2:00pm MST (AZ).
In lieu of flowers or donations, Phyllis' family requests that we protect ourselves and our families throughout the remainder of the pandemic, as Phyllis certainly would have done. When it is once again safe to do so, please consider volunteering. Volunteer service - expecting nothing in return - is what we feel would best honor Phyllis' memory.