- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1945
- Date Of Death: October 29, 2011
- State: Indiana
Phyllis Jean “PJ” Schwerha, 66, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, after being in ill health for a number of years.
Born in Elkhart on May 12, 1945, PJ was the daughter of Eugene A. and G. Lucille (Kirsch) Schwerha.
She is survived by her mother, Lucille; two brothers, Jack (Sally) of Bridgman, Mich., and Duane of Elkhart; three sisters, Cathleen (Kate) Hebel of St. Paul, Minn., Laury S. Benson (Bill) of Bend, Ore., and Kristin Schwerha-Scott (Gordon) of Elkhart; nine nieces and nephews; and one great-nephew.
She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene, in 1999, and a nephew, Ron Schwerha in 1986.
After attending St. Vincent’s Grade School, PJ graduated from St. Joseph High School, South Bend, in 1963. She lived for many years in Bowling Green, Ky., Indianapolis and Lafayette, working in the restaurant and hospitality fields before returning to Elkhart in 2001. PJ was a talented artist and had created hand-drawn gift cards. She attended Purdue University for art and design.
Because of her love for her two miniature schnauzers, Buffy and Mishka, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in PJ’s name to the Humane Society of Elkhart Count
