Phyl Ashcraft

Phyl Ashcraft, 91, passed peacefully March 21 with family by her side. A memorial service celebrating her good long wonderful life will be held Saturday, 11am, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2363 W. 3rd Street, Davenport with a visitation there at 10am before the service and a luncheon there after. She was born Phyllis Jean Miller December 12, 1924, (12/12/24), in New Liberty, Iowa to Lorenz “Ike” and Florence Miller. A graduate of Bennett High School, the 5’2” Phyl was a basketball star, lettering all four years. She wed the love of her life, M.H. “Bud” Ashcraft, January 14, 1945 in Tacoma, Washington, where Bud was stationed in the Marines. Throughout their 71 years of marriage, they traveled to every state in the Union except Alaska, as well as internationally to Spain, the UK and through the Panama Canal. They perennially wintered in Arizona. During WWII, Phyl worked as a purchasing agent with International Harvester. She later returned to work as a tax preparer and instructor for H&R Block. Phyl was a past President of the PTA, a Sunday School teacher, and member of the Mohassan Grotto Caldron. As a beloved Girl Scout Leader, she received the “Thanks Badge,” for outstanding service, the highest adult award the GSA bestows. She ran a tight ship, kept a clean house and welcomed people through it graciously and with good humor. Laughter abounded in their home of 58 years at 37th and Division and continued through a move last August to Garner Silvercrest. It was Phyl’s spoken desire to leave a place better than she found it. Mission accomplished. Phyl is survived by her husband, Bud, her brother Wally and his wife Phyllis Miller (Davenport), and her two children and their families: daughter Michele Hinz and her husband Chuck (Robins, Iowa) and their children and families: Jeff and DeLinn Payne, Jackson and Hudson; Erin and Ian Brember and Arlo; Matt and Whitney Hinz with a baby on the way; and Kate Hinz; son Michael and wife Melissa (Kansas City, MO) and their children Isaac Ashcraft, David Ashcraft and Hannah Ashcraft, and all those she was like a “second mother” to. Her great-grandson Sean Brember preceded her in death.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church.