GORHAM – Phyllis Shields Verseman, 88, of Fenton, Missouri, formerly of Gorham, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Phyllis Irene Taylor was born at home in Sand Ridge, IL, on March 5, 1937, to Charles and Elvinia Ticer Taylor. She married Richard Shields on September 5, 1955. They celebrated 36 years of marriage before Richard's passing in 1991.

The newly married couple moved to St. Louis where Phyllis worked as a secretary. Their hearts called them back to "the Bottoms" after the birth of their first child. Phyllis worked at St. Joseph Hospital and in 1968 became the bookkeeper and secretary for Mississippi Valley School Dist. 166 in Gorham, IL. She was a kind and dedicated presence in the school office until the doors closed in 1991, the same year Richard passed.

In 1995, she married Ken Verseman and they spent 2 years living in Chicago until once again, her heart called her home to Gorham.

Phyllis was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church for 53 years, was a member of the Alter Sodiality and served as Eucharistic Minister. She served as President of the Gorham Community Improvement Committee for 13 years. After Ken's passing, Phyllis moved to Fenton, MO. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Phyllis loved mowing her yard and tending her flowers. She took great pride in planting and tending her garden. She enjoyed feeding and watching the Cardinals and Gold Finches outside her big kitchen window. Most of all she loved cooking for her family. Her kids say her egg noodles were legendary. Phyllis was happiest when she was with her family, especially her sisters, and her heart never left "the Bottoms".

She is survived by four children: Jeff (Maxcy) Shields of Springfield, MO, Cheryl (Bryan) Mueller of Fenton, MO, Joe (Sally) Shields of Vandalia, IL, and Scott (Stacey) Shields of Aubrey, TX; grandchildren: Andy (Maria) Shields of Philadelphia, Alan (Trisha) Shields of Springfield, MO, Josh (Danielle) Shields of Dallas, TX, Emily (Aaron) Janssen of Fillmore, IL, Kate (Thomas) Campbell of St. Louis, MO, Johanna Shields of Vandalia, IL, Rebecca (John) Fangman of Kansas City, MO, and Abby Shields of Redmond, WA; great grandchildren: Ludiveene Shields, Elliot, Camryn and Kolt Janssen, and Luke and Clare Fangman.

Also surviving are sisters: Margaret Valier, Laura Hollman, Susie (Harold) Fritsche; and brother, Tom Taylor, brothers-in-law: Tom (Linda) Shields, Mike (Kathy) Shields; sisters-in-law: Mary Taylor, Lois Shields, Sharon Shields and Ann Shields.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Margaret Shields, brother and sister-in-law, Charles (Jr) and Pat Taylor, brother Ted Taylor, brothers-in-law: Chuck Valier, Gary Hollman, Kenneth and wife Belva Shields, Pat and Jim Shields; and great grandchild, Palmer Jo Janssen.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 am, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at St. Andrews Parish, Murphysboro, IL, with Father Leo Hayes officiating. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, IL. Visitation will be held Friday, April 11, 2025, from 5 – 7:30 pm, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St Ann's Catholic Church, Raddle or St. Andrews Catholic Church, Murphysboro. Funeral Mass intentions can be made at the Catholic Church of your choice.