Ottumwa, Iowa - Phyllis Jean Johnston-Belzer, born August 18, 1935 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ottumwa, Iowa to Mary Agnes Vandello Johnston and Elmer Ellsworth Johnston, passed on peacefully on November 24, 2025.

Known to many as Jeannie, Phyllis was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottumwa. She attended St. Patrick Grade School and graduated from Ottumwa Heights Academy in 1953. Her first job during high school was as a "car hop" — delivering food on roller skates — at Wapello Dairy. After completing her studies in bookkeeping at Iowa Success Business School, Phyllis worked as secretary to the president of Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric Company in Ottumwa.

Phyllis met her husband, Vernon Eugene "Cotton" Belzer, shortly after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. Within a year, they were united in holy matrimony at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa on Phyllis' 21st birthday in 1956. In the spring of 1957, Phyllis and Vernon moved to RR5 Albia, Iowa, where they began farming.

After nearly three decades of farming, Phyllis and Vernon left farm life in 1985 and returned to Ottumwa. There, they both found new work opportunities and built a residential rental business, with Phyllis managing the bookkeeping. The couple enjoyed traveling to Colorado and California, where they shared many adventures sightseeing and exploring.

Phyllis was known for her love of nature and her green thumb—maintaining a productive garden, growing flowers, and delighting in the outdoors. She enjoyed art projects, reading mystery novels, watching 'Shark Tank', 'Survivor' and old movies.

Phyllis and Vernon were blessed with four children: David Belzer (Linda), Sharon Wanner (John), Sandra Stier (Kris Perry), and Patricia Tsagaris (the late Iakovos). All their children survive her. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Jason Belzer, Paige Belzer, Daniel Belzer, Laura Wanner-Marciniak, Annie Wanner-Faile, Tom Stier, Frank Stier, Elliott Perry, Spencer Perry, Michael Tsagaris, Smaragda Tsagaris, and nine great-grandchildren.

In 2023, Phyllis relocated from Ottumwa to Batavia, Illinois to be closer to family and to receive care at the Holmstad/Covenant Care Community.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Vernon Belzer; her sisters, Shirley Tierney, Dorothy Hicks, and Arlene Orman; her brother, Everett Johnston; her grandsons, Kostas and Spiro Tsagaris; her granddaughter, Katie Wanner-Hassberger; and son-in-law, Iakovos Tsagaris.

A Christian Wake service will be 4 p.m. Friday, December 5th at Reece Funeral Home followed by visitation with the family present to greet friends until 7 p.m. Friday.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, December 6th at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.