Janis Marie Phillips

Janis Marie (Jan) Fulkerson Phillips, 75, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, fell asleep in death on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital after a valiant 70-day battle with an unexpected health condition.

She was born August 26, 1949, to Grace C. (Sgro) and Wayne E. Fulkerson. She often loved telling her family how she likely shared the hospital nursery with actress Shelley Long. Janis graduated from Elmhurst High School, class of '67, where she worked in the school library, a job that she loved. After school she was a babysitter. In 1971, while working as a hostess at the Holiday Inn, she met co-worker Steven R. Phillips. On August 11, 1972 they were married. In the late 70s and early 80s she served as vice president of Crownkim Inc. as a silver recovery technician. She proudly worked many jobs throughout her life including at a realtor's office, Kresge Warehouse, dress shop manager, and working in the bank's proof department. Janis had many passions. No matter where she lived, flowers and plants surrounded her home. She made sure her pots, planters, and flowerbeds were full every spring. Her yards were also never without several bird feeders and birdbaths. She loved watching birds and waiting for the return of the robins, hummingbirds, and orioles every spring and could tell a bird by its song. It wasn't unusual to see her consulting from one of many dog-eared bird or plant identification books. She enjoyed playing board and card games with others, especially pinochle. She enjoyed fishing and being at the lake. But her greatest passion was planning for long road trips to the American West to visit family and friends and go RVing in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. She loved the western mountains and Colorado columbines and knew the routes by heart. Without ever checking a map she was always able to point out the approach of landmarks. She loved sharing the beauty of locations such as Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and The Painted Desert with new people and was always willing to invite others along on trips so they could share the experience. Like her mother and aunt she loved rock hunting while on vacation. She showed special interest in astronomy, often stargazing and teaching her children about the constellations. She loved researching outer space and looking at photos of galaxies and nebulas. She knew where the planets were located in the sky. On occasion she would gather her family for spur-of-the-moment trips up north in hopes of seeing the aurora borealis. In 2007 she dedicated her life to Jehovah God, baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She always expressed deep pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. In her later years she took an interest in watching Alaskan reality shows and recalling memories of her many travels. Her adventurous spirit and her mischievous sense of humor will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Steven R. Phillips; her daughters, Jody Lynn (Matt) Ellenwood of Fort Wayne, Jennier Marie (Camiel) Henning of Newburgh, Indiana, and Stephanie Anne Phillips of Fort Wayne; grandchildren Dustin and Kayla Ellenwood, both of Fort Wayne, and Steven Bailey of Newburgh, Indiana; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet L. and James Breitfeller, both of Minneapolis, Minnesota; three great-grandchildren, two nieces, and her beloved feral rescue tuxedo cat, Reggie. She is preceded in death by her mother, Grace C. Sgro Fulkerson; father, Wayne E. Fulkerson, both of Fort Wayne; and brother and sister-in-law, Dave W. and Pattie A. Fulkerson, both of Evanston, Wyoming. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21, at 3:00 pm, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses Edgewood Congregation, with visitation one hour prior - 6427 Blackstone Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana.