Phyllis J. Wicker

Phyllis J. Wicker was born on November 3, 1932, in Twelve Mile, Indiana, the daughter of the late George and Letha (Ulerick) Smith. She grew up on the family farm with her four siblings and often shared warm stories of those early years. On May 7, 1950, she married Raymond L. Wicker of Logansport. Together they raised three sons, Robin, Jon, and Lance, and shared 50 years of marriage.

A gifted artist, Phyllis began painting in 1962, driven by a deep desire to paint her children. Largely self-taught through art books and dedicated practice, she created countless portraits and received more than 50 awards. She often said painting was so much a part of her that she felt compelled to paint in order to feel whole. Her studio became her sanctuary, a place where she felt closest to her Creator, surrounded by oil pastels, photographs, and finished portraits. She also took great joy in cooking for her family, spending hours preparing cherished meals and baking pies and cookies for gatherings. Those who knew her remember her as the embodiment of love, leaving a gentle light in everyone she met.

Phyllis is survived by her sons Jon Wicker (Rebecca) and Lance Wicker; daughters-in-law Julie Dilts (Joe) and Pam Wicker; grandchildren Sean Wicker, Ashley Brown (Eric), Sarah Wicker, Courtney Kitchell, John Wicker (Courtni), Beau Wicker, Seth Wicker (Nicole), and Jenna Peppers (Adam); and great-grandchildren Jayla Brown, Adalyn Brown, Leah Brown, Gracie Kitchell, Christian Wicker, Jackson Wicker, Chloe Wicker, Janna Wicker, Maci Wicker, Lynley Wicker, Cameron Morrow, and Jack Peppers. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Richard Myers and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Wicker, her son Robin Wicker, her brother Karl Smith (Divola), and her sisters Marjorie Henson (John), Rosanna Scott (Richard), and Martina Howard Meyers (Jack).