Phyllis Latham

Phyllis Jean Latham, 83, Republic, KS, was born December 5, 1932, in Superior, NE, to George Orie and Alice M (Stewart) Wheatley and passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016, in Overland Park, KS.  She lived in Republic, KS, for a short time until the family moved west. Phyllis graduated from Hawthorne High School, Hawthorne, NV, in 1949 and then moved to Albuquerque, NM, where she met Jesse. On November 30, 1955, 19 days after meeting, Phyllis and Jesse were married. They were together nearly 60 years before his death on August 25, 2015.  Together they raised six children: Jeanne Lynn, Donald Earl, Richard Lee, Steven George, Jesse Stewart, and Darrell Gene. Phyllis and Jesse were involved in the trucking industry most of their married life and also enjoyed casinos and gambling, travelling often to Laughlin, NV, and many other casinos throughout the country.  Some other favorite things that Phyllis enjoyed were auctions, embroidery, collecting, reading and spending time with her family. She was involved with many of the city activities and was mayor of Republic, KS, for 11 years before resigning in May of 2015 when her health began to decline.  She is preceded in death by her husband Jesse E., her parents, and son Richard. Phyllis is survived by daughter Jeanne Latham, Olathe, KS, sons Donald (Cindy) Latham, San Jose, CA, Steve (Harlya) Latham, Belleville, KS, Jesse S (Joni) Latham, Republic, KS, Darrell Latham and Cheryl Harris, Oklahoma City, OK; six grandchildren, Jesse Donald Latham, San Jose, CA, Elissa Latham and Tom Bernie, Ellsworth, KS, Steven Latham, Pueblo, CO, Lesley Latham and Andrew Fast, Kansas City, MO, William (Ashley) Latham, Manhattan, KS, and Robin (Dustin) Simpson, Lenexa, KS, and one great granddaughter, Edith Bernie. She is also survived by one brother, Thomas Wheatley, Corpus Christi, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Republic Methodist Church, Republic, KS, and per her late husband’s wishes, his urn will be placed within the casket, and they will buried together at Washington Cemetery, rural Republic. Visitation will be 1pm to 8pm Friday, April 1 ^st at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas.