Phyllis Ruth Dorsey

Phyllis Ruth Dorsey died Saturday March 1, 2025 at the Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City, Indiana. She was 85 years old. As she said Wednesday in the E.R. “I know Jesus is with me.” Phyl loved God’s creation - birds, animals, her many pets, flowers, gardening and of course people.  

Though born with the last name Slisz, on April 6, 1939,  Phyllis became part of the Dorsey family when she was adopted from an orphanage by Otho and Jane Dorsey of Fish Lake.  She became the beloved big sister of Paul and John Dorsey who were about 3 and 6.   Phyl attended the Mill Creek School and proudly attended their reunions through the years. After graduation she became a licensed practical nurse before her marriage to Richard Kuta.  They had two children, son Todd and daughter Christina. Phyllis’ second marriage was to Don Petrousky.  After Don’s passing, Phyl met Ken Shaw who preceded her in death about 20 years ago.  

During her career as an L.P.N., Phyl was employed locally in hospitals, nursing homes, and private home care. For the last 19 years, until 2022, Phyllis was a faithful employee of Comfort Keepers of La Porte, Indiana. 

Phyllis is survived by her children, and grandchildren: Claire, Tyler, Dax, Jake, Gracie and Garrett.  She is further survived by many siblings and their children along with dear friends who were like family.   Through the years many of Phyllis’s 11 biological siblings and their children were able to reconnect with her.  Phyllis is survived by sisters Rose Cornelius of Irvington, AL; Sandy VanWinkle of Howe, IN; Jackie Eggeson of Mobile, AL and former sister in law, Mary Ann Gamble of Lake Station, IN as well as brothers Paul and John Dorsey, sister in law Colleen Dorsey, all of Racine, WI.  We will all deeply miss Phyllis. 

Phyl always persevered and was helped by many loving friends in the La Porte area and neighbors in Fish Lake who were like family to her and her pets.  Thank you so much for your friendship, and your kindness over the years.  Also, Phyllis had numerous friends at the PAX center in LaPorte and the Salvation Army who blessed her life. She loved and appreciated you all. A heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at the Franciscan Hospital. 

An outdoor get together for family and friends will be scheduled sometime later in spring or summer.

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