Phyllis Suhre

Phyllis Ann Suhre (nèe Martin), age 91, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026 in Jerseyville, Illinois, after a short stay in rehab at Liberty Village. She was surrounded by family in her final hours.

Phyllis was born on July 28,1935 to Arthur August Martin and Iva (“Ivy”) Little Martin at their farm near Carrollton, Illinois. She graduated from Carrollton High School in 1952, and attended Shurtleff College in Alton, Illinois.

Phyllis lived in Libertyville, Illinois and Marietta, Georgia, for a few years after college and marriage, before returning to the Alton area. She worked as an administrative assistant for Azcon, Inc. for 35 years before retiring in 2000. She was an active member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Alton (now part of Lovejoy United Presbyterian Church) for over 50 years, and served as a children’s Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and a Stephen Minister, and was a member of the Piasa Pilot Mariners. After retirement, she also volunteered for Senior Services, OASIS women’s shelter, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and enjoyed many fun escapades as a charter member of the “Alton Red Hat Belles” group. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, travel, gardening, and researching family history. She moved to Asbury Village in Godfrey in 2009, where she enjoyed many social activities with friends. Everyone will remember her sweetness and beautiful smile that could light up the room.

Phyllis was a devoted and loving mother. She took the challenges of being a single mother of four children in stride, with grace and good humor.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Julia Jean Martin, and a dear sister-in-law, Margery Suhre.

Survivors include her four children: Richard E. Suhre (Kathleen) of Chesterfield, Missouri; Robert M. Suhre and Karen K. Suhre (Jeffrey M. Cotter) all of Kansas City, Missouri; and Carl H. Suhre (Karen) of St. Charles, Missouri. Also surviving are her five grandchildren, Joseph C. Suhre (Triffin Zecy) of Spring, Texas; Kimberly N. Davis (Cory) of Zionsville, Indiana: Julia E. Frantze (Christopher) of Leawood, Kansas: James R. Cotter of Brentwood, Missouri; and Brian M. Suhre of Chicago, Illinois; and seven beloved great-grandchildren. And she will be missed by her favorite “grand-dog,” Maggie the golden retriever, who was a frequent visitor to Asbury Village in her later years.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, is planned for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 2 in the Chapel at Asbury Village, 5201 Asbury Lane, Godfrey IL, 62035. Phyllis will be buried next to her parents at Borlin Cemetery in rural Eldred, Illinois.

The family extends thanks to staff at Asbury Village, who treated Phyllis with so much love over her last years, to the staff at Liberty Village for their kindness and compassion in her final days, and to Rev. Daniel Ervin at Lovejoy United.

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home