Phyllis I. (Hostetler) Kurzhal

Phyllis I. Kurzhal, a lifelong resident of South Bend, passed away early Monday, April 27, 2026 in her home, at the age of 99 years old.

She was born July 10, 1926, in South Bend to the late Marion & Adda (Lopshire) Hostetler.  On January 18, 1947, in South Bend, she was united in marriage to Edgar L. Kurzhal.  Together, they enjoyed 65 years of marriage until his passing on December 30, 2012.

Mrs. Kurzhal retired from Raco following 33 years of faithful service.  She was a longtime member of Southgate Church where she served as Secretary and teacher for the Sunday School Dept for more than 20 years, was a member of the Senior Ministries-a quilt making group where she served as Secretary and Treasurer.

Phyllis loved feeding her family.  She loved children and especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her family said she was an “Angel on Earth”.

She is survived by her two daughters, Shirley I. (Doug) Cunningham, and Kathy (Dave) Yoder, both of South Bend, her sons, Richard W. Kurzhal of Porter, TX, and Phillip J. (Carol) Kurzhal of South Bend. Also surviving are five grandsons, Eric (Sara) Kurzhal, Matthew (Amanda) Kurzhal, Richard Kurzhal, Jr., Aaron Yoder, and Connor (Edsys) Yoder, and grand daughter-in-law, Kristen Yoder,  along with eleven great-grandchildren, Megan, Nathan, Owen, Cole, Kate, and Rose Kurzhal, Dar, Claire, Landry, Adam, and Elliot Yoder.

Along with her beloved husband Edgar, she was preceded in death by her grandson Brad Yoder of November 15, 2022, daughter-in-law, Peggy Kurzhal, and siblings, Mary Sappington, Daisy Tetzlaff, Violet Kurzhal, Ellen Stutsman Warren Hostetler, and Howard Hostetler.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan St., South bend with Rev. Jeff Kennedy officiating.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 -1:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Kurzhal may be offered to the Center for Hospice Care, or to a Veteran’s organization of the donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.