Phyllis Anne Kiser

Phyllis Kiser, 71, of Fremont, three-dimensional cake baker, football-coach whisperer, family super-fan, and nana extraordinaire, passed away gracefully January 28, 2023. She was born on November 2, 1951, to Richard and Luetta (Fisher) Mayle. She met husband, Thomas, while attending St. Joseph Catholic High School and they married November 24, 1972. Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with their entire family on Thanksgiving Day was a blessing.

After raising her children Russ, Ed, and Shelly, how did Phyllis’ beautiful blonde hair not turn gray many decades ago? We know the secret: her unconditional devotion to her son Louie kept her young and playful at heart. A testament to Phyllis’ refusal to offer her family anything but her best, this obituary will not read that she was preceded in death by Louie, whose pediatricians said he’d only live to be two-years old. Louie is now 42.

Phyllis was known for the range of pitch of her squeals while cheering on her kid’s teams. She was the loudest cheerleader in the football stands or basketball bleachers or wherever her family competed. She supervised countless sleepovers where untold quantities of Hawaiian Punch were consumed and was viewed by the Fremont community as a trusted second mom. She can rest easy knowing Air Jordan never caught up with her rampant trademark infringement after gifting many teenagers her homemade sweatshirts.

Phyllis was not only kind and beautiful, she was competitive with street smarts. With confidence, she supported Tom, the love of her life, to use her wedding ring as collateral in 1979 for a small business loan that helped Tom launch an engineering firm that succeeded beyond expectation. She supported Tom through the ups and downs of the business. She also encouraged Tom to coach his children to help maintain his work-life balance. After their kids all graduated high school, Phyllis encouraged Tom to continue coaching, and together they impacted many other kids lives.

Tom and Phyl were ecstatic when their family began to grow. Ed married Elizabeth and Russ married Jessica. (The jury is still out on Phyllis having played amateur matchmaker for Shelly.) More so, these relationships gifted Phyl with the title of Nana! Alex, Dom, Ty, Will, Lily, Tommy, Cody, and Zach were privileged to be spoiled by her.

Whether visiting with family at Mayleville, on the boat at Nugents Canal, or in the stands at a kid’s game, Phyllis Kiser was the one everyone wanted to laugh with. She was so popular among her siblings that they selected her as the Godmother to four nieces and nephews: Veronica Stemen, Andy Mayle (the communist), Angie Hanson, and Amanda Babione (an unofficial Mayle family record). Phyllis loved her many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, whether a Buckeye or Wolverine, and they loved her too.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Tom; children; Russ (Jessica) Kiser, Eddie (Elizabeth) Kiser, Michelle Kiser and Louie Kiser; grandchildren; Cody, Zach, Will, Lily, Tommy, Alex, Domonic, and Ty; her siblings; Mary Luc (Joe), Ron Mayle (Mary Ellen), Karen Hanson (Greg), Joe Mayle (Andrea), Pam Babione (Jay), and Tony Mayle; her sisters and brothers in law; Janet Kiser, Angie Kiser, Don Kiser (Judy), Karen Lowery (Mike), Joan Kiser, and Marcia Mapus (Leo).

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Lou Mayle; her in-laws; Herb and Felista “Smitty” Kiser; her brothers-in-law; Bill, John, and Jeff Kiser; and her dear friend/cousin Ruthy Ackerman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Council for Developmental Disability of Sandusky County, 1001 Castalia Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420 or Wynn-Reeth c/o MACC Center 137 S. Broadway Street, Green Springs, Ohio 44836.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 3, 2023 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Hanneman-Keller Funeral Home 416 South Arch Street, Fremont Ohio. Funeral Mass will be Saturday February 4, 2023 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church 709 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio. Interment will follow mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Hanneman Funeral Homes is honored to serve Phyllis' family and encourage those to share a fond memory or condolence by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.

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