Obituary of Phyllis Arvilla Mendenhall

"Let us not love (merely) in theory or in speech but in deed and truth- in practice and in sincerity" 1 John 3:18

Phyllis Arvilla Anderson Mendenhall born 6/20/1921 passed away on 1/22/2020 at the age of 98 years. She was deafened at the age of seven. Schooled at the Kansas school for the Deaf in Olathe, KS until 6/2/1939. Entered Gallaudet College for the Deaf in Washington DC 9/1/1940.

She married James C. Mendenhall 4/26/1942. They had 5 children , James , John, Carol, Richard and Janelle. Preceded in death by her husband James C., passed 12/29/1987, Son John passed in infancy of  (pneumonia) and Son Richard passed age 68. Living children James L., Carol L. and Janelle L. 

Phyllis had 5 siblings; 2 brothers and 3 sisters that preceded her in death.

She has 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. 

She was a teacher for challenged children for 35 years in Wichita at a school the parents of these children started in the 1960's to keep them from being institutionalized. She loved her job and those children. The school's name at that time was "Parents of Spastics" (named by the parents). The name has been changed for those of you that take offense. But just know that does not change the love that went into teaching and caring for those children. 

She was a member of Brookside Methodist Church in Wichita. She participated in the functions of the Church; it started at the Brookside Elementary school in 1950's, The building of the Church was built brick by brick on Roseberry in Planeview where she continued to participate.

In 2008 she began visiting daughter Carol in Colorado, and Janelle in Washington and back to Wichita to visit Jim and Ricky. She was always very active and full of spunk. In 2011 she turned 90. We had a 90th birthday party for her in Wichita at Watson Park. Successful turn out over 100 people participated on a very hot day. In 2013 she fell and that limited her in travel. She lived in Washington state with Janelle and her husband Larry for the remainder of her life. 

She will be taken back to Wichita to be laid to rest with her husband James C. Mendenhall at White Chapel cemetery. There will be a memorial for her at Brookside Methodist Church on April 4th, 2020. time of memorial will be posted in the Wichita Eagle newspaper.