Phyllis J. (Wolford) DeMuth

Phyllis J. (Wolford) DeMuth, age 95, of Columbus, Ohio.  It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that our family is announcing that our Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma “Physsus” passed away unexpectedly at Riverside Emergency, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, due to an unexpected illness.  She was born on January 17, 1928, in North Lewisburg, Ohio, and was the only daughter of Howard H. and Madge Elizabeth (Hollingsworth) Wolford. She was preceded in death by her parents and by the love of her life and husband, Robert (Bob) DeMuth.  Phyllis attended and graduated, as Valedictorian, from Columbus Central High School. She attended The Ohio State University in the School of Nursing until she met and fell in love with her soul mate, Bob DeMuth. She and Bob were married on May 29, 1947, and were blessed with a beautiful marriage of almost 70 years, until Bob passed away in 2016.  For the majority of their life together they lived in Grandview Heights, Ohio, raising their 3 children. Phyllis became known as the “chauffeur mom” for all of her children’s activities. She drove carloads of girls to dance lessons, kids to swim meets, and her car was often filled with boys who played for the Grandview H.S. football, baseball, and basketball teams. 

In later years as her children grew, she and Bob enjoyed traveling to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Europe, Hawaii, and stateside to Montana, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia among other places.  But their favorite get away location was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and every Spring they would travel there, and later with the company of their oldest grandson, Chad, and his family.  They loved spending time with their ever growing family and every holiday was a special occasion. They were huge Ohio State Buckeye fans and for years attended all the home games and many away ones. They even had a horn on their van with the Ohio State fight song.

Phyllis eventually went to work as an Administrative Assistant at The Ohio State University and held positions in various departments, such as the College of Education, the College of Optometry, and the College of Engineering and Welding.  

In her spare time, she was an excellent bowler, she crafted handmade ceramic pieces and jewelry, and hand-knitted caps for hospitals for cancer patients. She was awarded a very special acknowledgement pin from Riverside Hospital for knitting over 500 caps for infants and patients. She also loved volunteering for many years at Riverside Hospital and at the Golden Hobby Shop in German Village. Phyllis also became very active in the Dublin Community Senior Center and was on the board as secretary for many years.  She made many long lasting, beautiful friendships there and continued seeing those friends until her final week of life.  Her weekly “Lunch Bunch” was so special to her, so caring, and kept her spirits high even after “her Bobby” passed away.  Their love was such a gift to her. A special thank you to Myra, Dennis, Tom, Sue, Pat, Carl, and Mary Lou.

Phyllis spent her final year living at Avia Senior Living Center socializing and making new friends.  She became known as “The Bingo Queen” and they loved her humor and her stories of “growing up in a Bingo Hall”.  Phyllis was a “one of a kind” lady who wanted to live her life “her way”.  She was a feisty, often witty woman, with a quiet sense of humor, who adored her dogs, Boo, Babe, and Itsy Bitsy.  She will be missed by her family and friends, but she is now back with the love of her life, “her Bobby”, which gives us all great comfort.   

Phyllis is survived by her 3 children; Daughters, Sherri (Rick) Callison of Columbus; Debbi (Gregg) Davis of Montana; son, Rob (Brenda) DeMuth of Arizona; her 8 Grandchildren, Chad (Shonda) Callison, Chrissy (Roger) Nienaber; Katie (Tim) Dye; Kimmie (Elias) Johnson; Jedd Davis & Mattison Davis; Holly DeMuth, Annie (Michael) Stopak; and 11 Great-Grandchildren, Delaney & Avery Callison; Ellie, Kate & Trey Nienaber; Cameron, Gabe & Peyton Dye; Samuel, Quinn & William (Will) Johnson.   Since she was an only child, Phyllis was blessed to share her life with her “sisters from other mothers”, Annie Loudenslager and Eldoris Borst, and many cherished friends and extended family.

A Celebration of Life for Phyllis will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023. A receiving hour for family and friends will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Celebration Service beginning immediately following at 12 noon.  Both will be held at John Quint Treboni Funeral Home, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio  43212, with the help of Jeff Davis of Deyo-Davis Funeral Home.   At 2:00 p.m. the family will proceed to Kingwood Memorial Park for a private interment.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:  the Capital Area Humane Society, 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct., Hilliard, OH  43206 or  the charity of your choice.  Online condolences may be made at www.deyodavis.com.

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