Phyllis Laurine Beckler was born on October 13, 1938, in Hebron, Indiana to Walter and Thelma (Birky) Keim and passed away on April 17, 2018 in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 79 years, 6 months and 4 days.

As a young girl Phyllis accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at Hopewell Mennonite Church in Kouts, Indiana. Phyllis graduated from Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Indiana with the Class of 1956. After high school she served in voluntary service for one year in Denver, Colorado at the University of Colorado Medical Center. Phyllis was united in marriage to Gene Gilmer on December 23, 1960. Gene and Phyllis were blessed with a son, John W. Gilmer.

Phyllis was united in marriage to Merle Beckler on June 18, 1982 in Toto, Indiana. The couple resided in Seward, Nebraska where she managed the Et-Cetera Gift and Thrift Shop for many years. Phyllis was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Concordia University in 2004. In May of 2012, Merle and Phyllis moved into Seward from the farm. They enjoyed many friends in the Village Circle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Gilmer (1969); parents, Walter and Thelma Keim; stepmother, Viola Keim; brother in law, Lewis Graves.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Merle Beckler; son, John Gilmer, Friend; grandchildren, Joseph Gilmer and special friend, Taylor Slezak, Lukas and Abbie Gilmer; daughter-in-law, Debbie Gilmer, Friend; stepchildren and spouses, Carla and Tom Stauffer, Lincoln, Cid and Karrol Beckler, Seward, Candace and Dan Wolfer, Beaver Crossing, Christopher and Vivian Beckler, Seward; grandchildren: Lindsey and Todd Kastl (Addison and McKelty), Evie and Brad Unrau (Zayden), Aaron and Maggie Beckler, Jessie Beckler and fiancée Aaron Arana, Blake and Janette Wolfer (Clarissa and Arianna), Paige and Jalon Zook (Corbin), Schyler Wolfer, Leyton Wolfer, Katie and Nick Lammers (Nash), Grant Beckler, Trent Beckler; sister, Mary Graves, Goshen, IN; special friends, Mark Henrickson, Bruce Potter and Sarah Thonen; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Phyllis.