 Phyllis Evelyn “Phid” Leeth, 93 of Marion, passed away peacefully Thursday May 21, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Phyllis was born on July 21, 1932, in LaRue, to Benton and Mildred (Thomasson) Denman. She was the youngest of 10 children, all of whom preceded her in death.
She attended LaRue Schools, where she was a high school cheerleader, and graduated in 1951. Phyllis remained deeply connected to her classmates and cherished her school memories, attending 73 alumni banquets through the years. When the banquet was canceled during Covid, she and her husband, Charlie, still made the trip to LaRue, parked at the site of the old high school, and shared a hot dog in the car so they could honestly say they had not missed a banquet. This June, Phyllis would have celebrated 75 years since her graduation.
After graduating, Phyllis began working at Campbell National Bank in LaRue. On June 25, 1954 at the LaRue U.M.Church, she married Charles Leeth, and together they shared over 71 years of marriage before his passing on April 10, 2026. She worked at the bank until the birth of their first daughter in 1955, then devoted herself to being a loving stay-at-home mother. Later, she returned to the workforce and went on to work at J.C. Penney in Marion for 27 years.
Phyllis also served for several years as the Girl Scout Cookie Chairman. During cookie season, the dining room would fill with boxes waiting to be loaded into their ’62 Chevy station wagon and delivered.
Charlie and Phyllis enjoyed a life filled with simple pleasures and happy times together, including square dancing, playing Euchre with friends and family, and camping. They were loyal members of the “Weakenders” Campers Club for 14 years.
Phyllis found joy in the everyday moments of life. She liked helping Charlie mow the lawn, tending her flower beds, and growing tomatoes. Her love language was caring for others through food, and if you stopped by, you could count on being fed. Family and friends looked forward to her strawberry jam and her wonderful sugar cookies, which her son-in-law Lynn fondly called his best medicine. With her generous spirit and love for giving, it was no surprise that Christmas was her favorite holiday.
Phyllis had a servant’s heart and was always ready to help others, never expecting anything in return. More than anything, she treasured time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Because family meant so much to her, she and Charlie could always be found at birthday parties, school programs, and sporting events, faithfully showing up to cheer on the ones they loved.
Surviving are their daughters, Jan Oldham of Richwood, Sandy (Dan) Sertell of Findlay and Barb (Roger) Wilburn of Bellevue.
Grandchildren, Chad (Taylor) Oldham, Matt (Jennifer) Sertell, Kevin (Andrea) Sertell,
Katie (Kyle) Dresbach and Ryan (Taylor) Wilburn
Great grandchildren, Oaklee Oldham, Eli and Isaac Sertell, Austin, Hunter and Josey Sertell, Kade, Kenzie, Krue and Kallie Dresbach, Rowen and Theo Wilburn
Sister-in-law, Mary Hoover of Marion
Phyllis was preceded in by death her siblings and their spouses, Ruth (Huck) Williams, Joan (Neil) Denman, Ima (Harold) Robinson, Ferol (Bus) Kale, Letha (Tim) Shirea, William (Donna) Denman, Benton (JoAnn) Denman Jr., Victor (Ruth) Denman and Ed (Sherry) Denman
Funeral services will be held Monday June 1, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in LaRue. Pastor Mike McClurg will officiate. Burial will follow in the LaRue Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday May 31, 2026 from 2-4 pm at the funeral home in LaRue.
Memorial gifts may be made to the LaRue United Methodist Church, PO Box 327 LaRue, Ohio 43332 and/or Tranquility Hospice at 1949 State Rt. 37 W, Delaware, OH 43015
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Directions to LaRue Cemetery
Directions to Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home
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