Phyllis Westfall passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the age of 89.
Phyllis Ann Miracle was born to Henry Robert Miracle and Mayme Ross Miracle (Stamper) in Stanford, Kentucky, on November 4, 1936. Growing up along Goshen Creek, she spent many hours of her childhood playing, fishing, and swimming with her two brothers.
In her teenage years, Phyllis’s family moved to Mitchell, Indiana where she met her future husband, Oakleigh. The Westfalls and Miracles lived only a mile apart, and the neighbors teased that Phyllis and Oakleigh kept a cloud of dust between the two homes as they drove back and forth to see each other. Once the dust finally settled, the two were married on August 12, 1956. They shared more than 70 years of marriage, raising three children and building a loving family that eventually included many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Phyllis lived a life filled with music and art. For many years, she served as choir director for the Mitchell Presbyterian Church, as well as the church’s organist and pianist. She was frequently called upon to play piano for weddings and funerals at several funeral homes in the area. An active member of the Lawrence County Art Association, she coordinated the art show at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival. She painted whenever she had an opportunity. On a family trip, she made sure to take along a roll of canvas so she could paint in Monet’s garden in Giverny and throughout their travels in France. Her artwork hangs proudly in the homes of many friends and family members.
Phyllis also worked at the Mitchell Public Library, where she collected oral histories, preserving the stories of her community and family for future generations.
Above all, Phyllis was devoted to her family. She chose to stay home to raise the children until they all began school, ensuring she sent them off with a hot meal and welcomed them home once they returned. She shared her love through cooking and baking, even keeping a logbook of her loved ones’ favorite cookies so that a batch would be waiting for them when they came to visit.
Phyllis had an easy laugh and a gift for lifting the hearts of those around her. Whether through her music, her art, a home-cooked meal, or simply a warm smile, she had a way of bringing joy to those around her.
Phyllis is survived by a family that will miss her dearly, including her husband Oakleigh; her younger brother, Robert Miracle, and his wife, Judy, of Bloomington; two children Lisa (and Gil) Milburn-Westfall of Colorado and David (and Claire) Westfall of Washington; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mayme Miracle, her older brother, Connie “CR” Miracle and her daughter, Susan Westfall.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, at the Mitchell Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. at the church.
18 Guest Comments