Phyllis E. Gleason                   

Phyllis Elaine Kio Gleason, a longtime resident of Austin, passed away at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, after a short illness.

Born on June 11, 1945 in Coudersport, she was the daughter of Bob O. Kio and Vera L. Clinton Kio.  On April 29, 1961 in the E.U.B. Church in Prouty, she married William “Bill” Gleason.  They celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing on April 10, 2012.

Phyllis attended Austin Area School, Class of 1963.  She was a young wife and mother who often said she grew up with her kids!  As a young mother, she was known for putting the kids on the school bus and then heading out with her trusty 22 rifle to knock down a couple of squirrels and make squirrel pot pie for dinner.

She was a “natural” dog trainer.  She could get a dog to do anything, including sneeze on command and hold a piece of steak on their nose until she signaled to let them know that they could eat the treat.  All of the family pets loved her, she had a natural affinity with animals.  She, along with her husband, Bill, owned and operated the Wharton General Store for several years.  She was the person that coined the phrase “Do your Sportin’ in Wharton, PA”.  Later they owned and operated a full-service Exxon Station, the former Wm. Gleason & Sons, Main Street in Austin.  Phyllis was the general manager at the former El Rancho Grande’ for several years, located in Costello, PA.  She also worked for many years at the former Schumacher’s Inn in Costello.

Phyllis was a lifelong member of the East Fork Sportsmen’s Club.  She enjoyed woodworking with her husband Bill and was an avid seamstress and quilt maker.  All her children and grandchildren have gorgeous handmade quilts sewn by Phyllis. She also altered and fitted the wedding dresses of her granddaughters.  Phyllis enjoyed traveling and loved the ocean!  She went deep sea fishing many times off the eastern seaboard and the Caribbean.  She traveled to Alaska several times and for many, many years went on an annual “girls” trip to the ocean with her closest friends.

She enjoyed watching Major League Baseball games, reading, Words with Friends, and puzzles.  She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  As several family friends stated, “she was a gem, one of a kind and she will be sorely missed”.

Left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Teresa J. “Teri” (Michael) Cooney of Austin, PA; two sons, William J. “Bill” Gleason of Coudersport, PA and Samuel J. (Lori) Gleason of Austin, PA; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Staci) Cooney of Muncy, PA, Chase (Hilary) Cooney of Austin, PA, Megan (Bryan) Uhl of Kersey, PA, Kayla (Caleb) Nichols of Coudersport, PA, Macy (Matt) Freeman of Scio, NY, Jarred (Lashella) Gleason of Roulette, PA, Brock Belkowski of Emporium, PA, and Brady (Nick) Cressley of Emporium, PA; twelve great-grandchildren, Carly and Carson Cooney of Austin, PA, Liam and Amelia Cooney of Muncy, PA, Kolhson, Kason, and Aspen Uhl of Kersey, PA, Sage and Kohen Nichols of Coudersport, PA, Myles and Lane Freeman of Scio, NY, and Caroline Gleason of Sinnemahoning, PA; a brother, Douglas G. Kio of Austin, PA; a sister, Bonnie S. (Arthur) Eckert of Austin, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Phyllis was predeceased by a granddaughter, Amy Jean Cooney; a brother, Robert O. Kio; a sister, Barbara Klimek Butz Freeman; and a daughter-in-law, Wendy S. Gleason.

Family and friends are invited to attend a gathering to celebrate Phyllis’ life at the East Fork Sportsmen’s Club, East Fork Road, Austin, PA from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Flowers are gratefully declined.  Memorials in Phyllis’ name may be made to the Austin Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 328, Austin, PA 16720; to the McGuire Memorial, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066. Website: https://mcguirememorial.org/mcguire-memorial-foundation/ or to the Amyloidosis Foundation, 7151 N. Main St. Ste 2, Clarkston, MI 48346. Website: amyloidosis.org

Phyllis entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.

To express condolences, light a candle or share fond memory of Phyllis, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.