PHYLLIS HEILBRUN obituary

JOPLIN - Phyllis Heilbrun, 67, of north Rudyard, suffered a heart attack at her home Thursday, May 11, and died en route to Benefis East Medical Center in Great Falls early Friday, May 12, 2006.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Joplin Community Hall. Burial will follow at the Joplin Cemetery.

She was born Phyllis Elaine Mortimer on July 30, 1938, at Brookville, Pa., to Raymond Mortimer and Ruth Williams Phyllis received her early education at Munderf, Pa., and finished her high school years at Brookville, Pa.

She married Kenneth Snyder Sr. in 1955. They lived at Munderf, where Phyllis worked as a wife, homemaker and mother of five. In 1966 they moved to Hazen, Pa. The Snyders divorced in the mid-1970s.

Phyllis married her second husband, Jay W. Heilbrun, in May of 1977. They made their home at Munderf. They were active members of the Warsaw Township Sportsmen's Club at Hazen. In July of 2002, the Heilbruns moved to Montana to be closer to Phyllis' sons. They lived at the Ed Norenberg place 12 miles north of Rudyard, where Phyllis enjoyed spending time outdoors, planting and caring for her flower beds, and raising and caring for her many pets. A lifelong animal lover, she especially enjoyed dogs, horses, donkeys and birds, but was fond of any and all creatures.

Her other hobbies were many. Phyllis enjoyed attending auctions, yard sales and rodeos. She loved to play the organ, which she learned to play by ear. She loved to cook and bake. She also enjoyed playing darts, games and cards, particularly rummy, “cinch” and solitaire. In her quiet time at home, she enjoyed crossword puzzles. She collected Native American figurines.

Phyllis loved her family, who affectionately called her “Maw.” During her early years in Pennsylvania, she was lovingly called “Sis” by her relatives and close friends. Phyllis always looked forward to that special quality time with her grandchildren.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; infant children, Darlene and Raymond Snyder; and brother, Wayne Mortimer.

Survivors include her companion of 29 years, Jay Heilbrun of Rudyard; children, Ken Snyder Jr. of Joplin, Randy (Barb) Snyder of Rudyard and Becky Snyder of Altoona, Pa.; sister, Margaret Wingard (Ron) of Brockway, Pa.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.