Phyllis Ann Koegler Nesbitt

February 08, 2015 Last Updated: February 08, 2015 10:01 AM Death Notice

Phyllis Ann Koegler Nesbitt, 66, of Emlenton passed away Sunday at home into the hands of her Lord.

Phyllis was born on Oct. 10, 1948, in Pittsburgh. She was the daughter of the late Carl and Margaret Milligan Koegler of Cranberry Township.

She was a proud “Cranberry Original,” growing up on and subsequently residing at “The Homestead,” an 1890, 50-acre farm owned by the Milligan family upon which many Native American arrowheads and a burial mound were found, at the corner of Freedom Road and Rolling Road in Cranberry Township. She had fond memories of simpler times in Cranberry, especially sled riding with her brother, the late Roy Koegler, down Freedom Road. She was one of the founding members of the Cranberry Township Historical Society.

She graduated from the second graduating class of Seneca Valley High School in 1966 and served as the school's first Raider mascot. As a teen and adult she loved twirling baton. In later years, she enjoyed being on the high school reunion committee, and was rewarded for her work by being pulled over by Zelienople police twice in one day for speeding as she hurriedly prepped that day's reunion festivities.

In 1968, she married Roy “Tom” Nesbitt of Zelienople. Over the next 12 years, they lived in Great Lakes, Ill., Norfolk, Va., the U.S. Navy Base in Gitmo, Cuba, Uniontown, North Hills and York. They later divorced.

This union produced two children — Crystal Carleen and Dean Thomas — with whom Phyllis enjoyed many trips to Moraine, Lake Erie and other local “vacation” spots. Phyllis' favorite trips, however, had to be those on which she went “covered bridgin'.” A hobby unique to and invented by Phyllis, “covered bridgin'” involved getting in the car, meeting up with her covered bridgin' partner, Marilyn Kramer Boyle, and going to see any number of covered bridges in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Her bridgin' adventures were once chronicled in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Another memorable trip included one to Prince Edward Island, where she and her dear, now deceased friend, Vesta Breckenridge, explored the land that served as the setting for the Anne of Green Gables series of books.

Phyllis' first job was at the original Cranberry Hall. Through the years, Phyllis held many administrative positions, including those with the U.S. Marine Corps in Gitmo, Foreman Architects in Zelienople and Traco in Cranberry Township. She had an Associate of Science degree in business from Butler County Community College. She most recently worked for the Campbell Bus Co. driving school busses.

Phyllis spent many of her last years in the company of her companion, Donald Pritts. They first met in high school, and became acquainted again years later when Phyllis began listening to Donnie play country music. Phyllis purchased property and moved to Emlenton in the early 2000s, where she and Don enjoyed a quiet and peaceful life.

Phyllis was an active participant in the Scrubgrass Stone Church near Emlenton. Early in life, she was confirmed at the original wooden Dutilh United Methodist Church. She remained an active member when the new church was built.

Phyllis touched the lives of many through her endless kindness, enthusiasm and creativity. In her words, she's “gone to catch the last bridge.”

She is survived by her daughter, Crystal Nesbitt Stanionis, and her favorite son-in-law, Ryan Stanionis, both of Bozeman, Mont., and her son, Dean Nesbitt of Zelienople. She is also survived by her two grandsons, her Doodlebug, Luke Stanionis, and her Brady Bug, Brady Stanionis, and her companion, Donald Pritts. She also leaves behind four nieces and nephews and a plethora of kind friends.

Nesbitt — Phyllis Ann Koegler Nesbitt, who passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, was cremated.Her family will greet friends from noon to the time of a remembrance service at 1 p.m. Saturday at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. Following the service, burial will take place in Dutilh Cemetery in Cranberry Township. All are welcome to attend.Memorials may be made to the Scrubgrass Stone Church, 258 Stone Church Road, Emlenton, PA 16373.Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.