Phyllis D. Hughes

     Phyllis Diane Hughes came into this world on the 30 th of August, 1931, the first-born daughter of Otto and Helen Synner of Norwalk, Wisconsin. As with most families in this country during that era, life was difficult and blessings were sparse. Otto moved his family to Sparta, and before long, Phyllis got a new little sister, Shirley, who provided some much-needed companionship. The girls probably never guessed that Sparta would be their home for the rest of their lives. In 1950, she married Douglas Hughes. He opened a business selling and servicing TV’s in a big house on Court Street. Their showroom was downstairs, their home directly above. Before long, two boys, David, and Steven, filled their lives with boisterous energy. They, along with their mother, participated in the running of the business, as families back then often did. Sadly, Doug passed away in 1972, leaving Phyllis to raise her boys on her own. Her youngest, Steven, would also pass away young, at the age of seventeen. Both events unquestionably changed her life. Phyllis was a simple person and enjoyed simple things. One thing in particular was going to rummage sales. She definitely knew her way around town, and rarely came back empty-handed! She outlived both of her parents, as well as her sister.

     She is survived by her remaining son, David (Angela) Hughes of Mindoro; three grandsons, Steven (Melissa) Zweifel of Sparta, Douglas (Jenny) Hughes of Melrose, and Michael (Melissa) Hughes of Greenville; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many, many, nieces, nephews, and extended family members; special friends, Rose and Al Poff; and her two end of life companions and caregivers, Alli Emrich and Rita Meyers, who meant the world to her and filled her final days with great joy.

     She was called home to her eternal rest on the 1st of August, 2020, at the age of 88. She will be laid to rest at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2020, in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis D. Hughes, please visit our floral store.