COLUMBUS
Phyllis Maxine Blair, 84, of Columbus, passed away at 3:48 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Silver Oaks Health Campus in Columbus.
Born October 5, 1941, in North Vernon, she was the daughter of the late James and Anna (Mack) Fortner. She married Coy E. Blair on June 24, 1961, in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on December 7, 2019.
Phyllis attended North Vernon High School and was a graduate of I.U.P.U.I with a degree in Applied Science. She worked in the skilled trades program for Cummins Engine Company in Columbus from 1979 until her retirement in 2001 and had previously worked for the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center in Butlerville for 11 years. She was a member of Ruth Circle of Church at East Columbus Christian Church. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, spending time with her family and was a huge Jeff Gordon Fan.
Survivors include her daughters, Tammy (Jim) Losey and Tina (Matt Jeffries) Ellis, both of North Vernon; sisters, Ellen Moore and Sandy (Mike Root) Summerfield, both of North Vernon; grandchildren, Joe (Jenn Romero) Hawkins and Shelly (Justin) Butler, both of Hayden, Katie (Josh Salinas) Hawkins of Columbus, David (Beau) Ellis and Kayla (Alex) Zimmerman, both of North Vernon, Toyce (Josh) Cord of Shelbyville and Nick Losey of Fox Island, Washington; fifteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; infant daughter; brothers, William and Charles Fortner; sisters, Virginia Booher, Edith Bishop, Geneva Monday, Lucille Redicker, Stella Krichner, and Sue Horton; and son-in-law, Bob Ellis.
A funeral service for Phyllis will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Rev. Ron Bridgewater officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in honor of Phyllis through the funeral home to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Love Chapel of Columbus.
