Funeral services for Phyllis Ashcraft, 89, of Jefferson will be held Sept. 19 at 10 am at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Bruce Webster of Church of Christ in Jefferson will officiate. Interment will be in the Jefferson Cemetery.
Phyllis Maxine (Greene) Ashcraft was born on April 1, 1936, to Jack and Pauline (Buchmiller) Greene. At just two years old, she lost her mother, but was lovingly surrounded by family. Her cousin, Fern (Linger) Waldo, became more like a sister, and her five brothers helped raise her, shaping her into the strong, spirited, and remarkable woman she grew to be.
Phyllis graduated from East Greene Community School in 1954.On June 26, 1954, Phyllis married the love of her life, Leslie John Ashcraft. Together, they built their home in Jefferson, where they raised their four daughters—Polly, Dutch, Mary, and Sheri.
Phyllis worked in many different roles over the years. She cared for children through home day care, hosted countless in-home parties selling toys, jewelry, and makeup, and later served as site manager for the congregate meal program. No matter the job, Phyllis gave her best and created connections everywhere she went.
She was perhaps best portrayed by her CB radio call name, “Sweet and Sassy”, a title that perfectly reflected her personality. Phyllis loved her sparkle and fashion. She had a sharp wit, playful sass, and a fierce competitiveness that sometimes showed through in the games she loved to play with her grandchildren. She built a lifetime of friendships, remembered for her kindness as much as for her spirited personality.
Her heart was poured into the many hobbies she loved—camping trips with family, cooking and baking, cross-stitch, woodworking, crafts, and gardening. She also cherished the simple moments of sitting outside, watching the birds, and soaking in the beauty of nature. And no matter the season, Phyllis could always be found cheering on her beloved Iowa Hawkeye athletic teams. But her greatest joy was always her family, who knew her not only as “sweet and sassy,” but as the glue that held them together.
Phyllis passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson, at the age of 89 years.
She is survived by her daughters Pauline (Bruce) Hadley of Bayard, Mary (Chuck) Silbaugh of Jefferson, and Sheri (Craig) Mertz of Carroll; grandchildren Debbie (Tom) Dennhardt, Brian (Lisa) Mobley, Derek Ott, Ryan (Jenny) Mobley, Kashia (Josh) Tuel, Kaleb (Nicole) Silbaugh, Kelsey (Kolby) Hilgenberg, Nate Mertz, and Alli Mertz; and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leslie; her daughter Irene Mischke; her parents-in-law Wendall and Opal Ashcraft; sons-in-law Brian Mobley, Steven Moranville, and Nile Mischke; grandson John Robert Hadley; and her brothers and sisters-in-law John Jr., Gene (Marge), Jim (Roberta), Richard (Irene), and Darrell.
