Walking On - Janet Pearl (Lyon) Phillips

Janet Pearl (Lyon) Phillips

March 16, 1933 – Aug. 13, 2016

Tribal Elder Janet Pearl (Lyon) Phillips, 83, was born March 16, 1933, in McMinnville, Ore., to Harley and Pearl (Langley) Lyon. She grew up and attended Dayton Grade School and graduated in 1951 from Dayton High School.

Janet was a bookkeeper, landlord and her most cherished occupation was owner/operator of the Pirates Den cafe, where she was known as grandma to hundreds of students.

Janet was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 4. She was a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, serving many years on the Culture and Health committees.

Janet loved to travel, going to Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, Alaska, New York, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Germany, Holland, Mexico and Canada. Some of her hobbies were camping, cookbooks, Tribal history, dolls, dancing and genealogy.

Janet enjoyed life in general, always looking for the good in any person or situation. And, of course, her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her father, Harley, and a grandson, John Gentry III. She is survived by her 104-year-old mother, Pearl, and brother, Harold; her five children, Carol (David) Ravia of Dayton, Mary Ann (Gary) Wilson of La Center, Wash., John (Sheryl) Gentry Jr. of Mackay, Idaho, James Gentry of Dayton and Cindy Gulledge of Battle Ground, Wash. She had 19 grandchildren: Julie, Donald, Jack, Russ, Christopher, Bobbi Sue, Jacob, Dusty, Michael, Delona, John III, Cabrean, Harley, Isaiah, Nevaeh, Joey, Donny, Alicia and Melissa. She was blessed with 33 great-grandchildren and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde gymnasium at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, and interment followed at the Grand Ronde Cemetery in Grand Ronde. A celebration of life was held at the Elders Activity Center.

Any memorial donations should be directed to Dayton Baptist Church.

Macy & Son Funeral Directors handled the arrangements.