Phyllis Behrle West

Phyllis Behrle West

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, Phyllis Behrle West, a devoted Daughter, Wife, Mother, Sister and Grandmother passed away in Akron, Ohio, at the age of 80, after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Phyllis was born to Virginia (Vath) and Herman Behrle on December 30, 1940, in Pennsylvania. However as a young girl she moved to—and spent the rest of her life as an unofficial ambassador to—her beloved Akron. She graduated from Our Lady of Elms High School in 1958 and from the University of Akron in 1962 with a degree in mathematics. 

Her first career was as a systems analyst for IBM where she worked for eight years. After Tara’s arrival she shifted her focus to being a mom, nurse, carpool driver and room parent/PTA volunteer extraordinaire, with a small math tutoring gig on the side. After Todd made it to high school in 1988, she started selling real estate-- a way of convincing even more people to move to Akron-- until she retired in 2011. Throughout her life she generously volunteered her time to many organizations including the American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, WITAN, Junior League, Leadership Akron, Litchfield Rehabilitation Center, Our Lady of the Elms, Stan Hywet Women's Auxiliary, the University of Akron Alumni Council, Seedlings Garden Club, the Village at St. Edwards, and tutoring children at Rankin & Helen Arnold schools. She enjoyed golfing, gardening, walking, traveling and spending time with her friends and beloved grandsons.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her dad, Herman; her mom, Virginia; and her brother-in-law,Dr. J.C. Johns.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Hugh; daughter, Tara (Brian) of Portland, OR; son, Todd (Kathleen) of Grand Rapids, MI; sister, Stephanie Johns of Goodyear, AZ; 3 grandchildren, Colby, Carter & Matias; nieces, nephews and friends. 

Phyllis was a longtime member of St Hilary Catholic Church and her Funeral Liturgy will be held there at 11am on Saturday July 24th, with a visitation for friends and family from 10am - 11am. Calling hours will be Friday July 23rd, 2021 from 4-6pm at Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 39 S. Miller Road, Fairlawn, Ohio, 44333. In lieu of floors memorial donations can be made to Our Lady of the Elms ‘Behrle Scholarship’ 1375 W. Exchange St, Akron, Ohio 44313 or the Alzheimer's Association.

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