Phyllis Bryan passed away peacefully on February 24, 2024, at Ripley Crossing in Milan, Indiana. Phyllis was born to Phillip and Artie Belle Balmenti on October 21, 1935, in Chester, West Virginia. The daughter of a barber and a ceramicist, she grew up in Chester, where she attended and graduated from Chester High School in 1953.
On March 17, 1956, Phyllis married Jack Bryan at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chester. In 1968 Phyllis, Jack, and their five young children moved from Chester to Batesville, Indiana where she established a warm and welcoming home for her, her family, and her friends.
Over the years Phyllis would be known for her love of cooking and baking, including several dishes and goods: stuffed manicotti, chicken tetrazzini, panini sandwiches, biscotti, and an array of cookies, all of which were made from scratch. She was very festive and enjoyed decorating her home for every holiday and season. Throughout her long life she had visited many countries, traveling with friends through most of Western Europe, including Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, and her father’s birth country of Italy.
Phyllis is survived by her children Michael Bryan of Batesville, IN, Michelle (Manuel) Linhares of Las Vegas, NV, Daniel (Amy) Bryan of Batesville, IN, Christopher Bryan of Metamora, IN, and Stephen Bryan of Denison, TX; her sister Mary Frances Simmons of Cape Coral, FL; as well as nine grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband Jack, her four sister Margaret Adams, Josephine Andrews, Joanne Balmenti, Phyllis’s twin sister Faye Stofko, and her brother Samuel Balmenti.
Phyllis was a very warm-hearted person, and a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family and all of those who knew her.
Visitation will be Saturday March 2, 2024, from 9am-11am immediately followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am all at Holy Family Church Oldenburg, IN.
Donations can be made to the Holy Family Church Cemetery Fund by bringing to the service or mailing to Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Please feel free to leave a memory or message of comfort for Phyllis’ family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.