Obituary for Phyllis L McCosh (Kugler)
Phyliis (Kugler) McCosh was born 100 years ago, on September 14th, 1920, and died Saturday,
October 24th in the Lakeview Village Rehabilitation Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Her good long
life began as a child of John Musselman Kugler and Bertha Burkholder Kugler of rural Abilene.
Some of her best childhood memories were fixing a snack when coming home from school and
going to the barn while her Mother milked the cows. She talked of the many scrumptious
meals her Mother would fix for large family holiday dinners, a tradition she continued. She also
spoke fondly of practicing the piano as a child and especially loved playing hymns. Phyllis
attended East Buckeye grade school, Abilene High School and graduated from Bethany
College in Lindsborg in 1941 with a degree in music education.
In 1937, she and another young man from the community, LeRoy McCosh, were two of three
selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. A relationship began that led to
their marriage in 1943, with a wedding at her parents home at the Kugler farm. They were
married 58 years and had six children: Ron McCosh (Cindy) of Beverly, KS, Patricia King (Gary)
of Winfield,KS, Gordon McCosh (Sherryl), of Rockwall, TX, Nancy Wassenberg (Roger) of
Shawnee, KS, Dennis McCosh of rural Abilene, and Cathy Matlack (Terry) of Shawnee, KS.
Phyllis had 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters. Phyllis
was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy in 2002, her parents, her three siblings, Harold
Kugler, Marie Wick and Laberta Simmons, a daughter-in-law, Lynn McCosh and a grandson,
Joe McCosh.
Both LeRoy and Phyllis had many accomplishments, honors and awards through out their
lives. Highlights were the Dickinson County Extension Council Appreciation award and they
were also honored as members of the Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker award in
1993, giving public recognition for excellence in farming, homemaking and rural citizenship.
Phyllis was honored with the Master Teacher award from the Chapman School District in 1977.
Music and the piano was Phyllis’ passion. She began giving piano lessons at the age of 16
and continued until 80 years of age. She taught elementary music in the Chapman School
District at Blue Ridge, Talmage and Upland schools from 1956 - 1988. She inspired many “next
generation” music teachers who she continued to mentor and stay in touch with over the
years. She loved hearing her grandchildren and great grand-children play the piano or their
instruments and many mini concerts were given her while she listened with a broad smile.
Phyllis had a strong unshakable faith. She served her community of faith at the Buckeye
Church of the Brethren by serving as pianist and organist for 48 years. She had youth choirs,
did summer bible school and encouraged and accompanied many of her students who were
ready to share their musical talents with the church community. She was known for her baking
and her cinnamon twists were always one of the first things people would seek out at many
church potlucks.
Services will be Saturday, October 31st, 11am, at Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye St.,
Abilene, KS. Due to the pandemic, attendees are encouraged to wear masks. Burial will follow
the service at 12:15pm at the Union-Livingston Cemetery on Indy Road, south of Highway 18,
north of Abilene. The service can be viewed online with this link, starting at 11am;
http://www.phyllismccosh.com/
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund for Chapman
graduates to pursue a degree in music. Make checks payable to the Irish Foundation, noting
the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund. Send to The Irish Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Chapman,
KS 67431. Donations can also be left at Danner Funeral Home in Abilene.
October 24th in the Lakeview Village Rehabilitation Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Her good long
life began as a child of John Musselman Kugler and Bertha Burkholder Kugler of rural Abilene.
Some of her best childhood memories were fixing a snack when coming home from school and
going to the barn while her Mother milked the cows. She talked of the many scrumptious
meals her Mother would fix for large family holiday dinners, a tradition she continued. She also
spoke fondly of practicing the piano as a child and especially loved playing hymns. Phyllis
attended East Buckeye grade school, Abilene High School and graduated from Bethany
College in Lindsborg in 1941 with a degree in music education.
In 1937, she and another young man from the community, LeRoy McCosh, were two of three
selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. A relationship began that led to
their marriage in 1943, with a wedding at her parents home at the Kugler farm. They were
married 58 years and had six children: Ron McCosh (Cindy) of Beverly, KS, Patricia King (Gary)
of Winfield,KS, Gordon McCosh (Sherryl), of Rockwall, TX, Nancy Wassenberg (Roger) of
Shawnee, KS, Dennis McCosh of rural Abilene, and Cathy Matlack (Terry) of Shawnee, KS.
Phyllis had 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters. Phyllis
was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy in 2002, her parents, her three siblings, Harold
Kugler, Marie Wick and Laberta Simmons, a daughter-in-law, Lynn McCosh and a grandson,
Joe McCosh.
Both LeRoy and Phyllis had many accomplishments, honors and awards through out their
lives. Highlights were the Dickinson County Extension Council Appreciation award and they
were also honored as members of the Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker award in
1993, giving public recognition for excellence in farming, homemaking and rural citizenship.
Phyllis was honored with the Master Teacher award from the Chapman School District in 1977.
Music and the piano was Phyllis’ passion. She began giving piano lessons at the age of 16
and continued until 80 years of age. She taught elementary music in the Chapman School
District at Blue Ridge, Talmage and Upland schools from 1956 - 1988. She inspired many “next
generation” music teachers who she continued to mentor and stay in touch with over the
years. She loved hearing her grandchildren and great grand-children play the piano or their
instruments and many mini concerts were given her while she listened with a broad smile.
Phyllis had a strong unshakable faith. She served her community of faith at the Buckeye
Church of the Brethren by serving as pianist and organist for 48 years. She had youth choirs,
did summer bible school and encouraged and accompanied many of her students who were
ready to share their musical talents with the church community. She was known for her baking
and her cinnamon twists were always one of the first things people would seek out at many
church potlucks.
Services will be Saturday, October 31st, 11am, at Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye St.,
Abilene, KS. Due to the pandemic, attendees are encouraged to wear masks. Burial will follow
the service at 12:15pm at the Union-Livingston Cemetery on Indy Road, south of Highway 18,
north of Abilene. The service can be viewed online with this link, starting at 11am;
http://www.phyllismccosh.com/
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund for Chapman
graduates to pursue a degree in music. Make checks payable to the Irish Foundation, noting
the Phyllis McCosh Scholarship fund. Send to The Irish Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Chapman,
KS 67431. Donations can also be left at Danner Funeral Home in Abilene.