Phyllis Lavonne Chumbley was born on November 9, 1931, in Calhoun County, Iowa to Henry and Anna (Folkerts) Barg. She attended and graduated from Mallard Consolidated School in 1950 then continued her education by attending AIB in Des Moines, Iowa. Phyllis married Robert A. Chumbley on March 18, 1956, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Indianola, where Phyllis was a Charter Member until her passing. Robert passed away in December of 2002.

Phyllis worked at Zaizer's Stationery Store in Des Moines, while attending AIB. She then worked for the Solar Aircraft Company in Des Moines until 1961, when she started work as a legal secretary for the law firm of Elgin, Hoyman, Clogg & Patin. She worked there until her retirement in 1997.

Phyllis is survived by her sister-in-law, Bev Jensen of Charles City, Iowa. She is also survived by a niece, Elaine (Ron) Ansley of Indianola and children, Alyssa Ansley Yoder, Joe Ansley and Katie Ansley Miller, whom she was thankful for the wonderful care they gave to her. She is also survived by 21 other nieces and nephews living in the states of Iowa, Kansas, California, Missouri, Minnesota and Texas; along with many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Henry Barg; her mother, Anna Barg Jensen; stepfather, Joe Jensen; brothers, Norman Barg, Arnold Barg, Roger Barg, Gordon Barg, Clark Jensen, Jim Jensen; and sister, Dorothy Barg Wood.

Graveside services for Phyllis, 94, who passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, will be held 11 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2026 at the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.