Phyllis Elaine Whitehill Weltner

Phyllis Elaine Whitehill Weltner, 97, of Franklin, passed away at Wesbury Retirement Community in Meadville on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Born June 28th, 1927 in Oil City she was the daughter of Ivan and Elsie (Meddock) Whitehill.

Phyllis graduated valedictorian in June 1945 from Cranberry High School. 

During summers, Phyllis worked at Oakwood Rose Gardens beginning her lifelong love of roses. After graduation, she worked in Oil City for Quaker State Oil Corporation.

On March 30th, 1949, she married Frank V. Weltner of Franklin in Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City. They enjoyed a love-filled marriage of 62 years until Frank’s death in 2011.

Phyllis pursued a business career in the insurance industry and in 1983 earned the designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

After Frank’s US Navy career he sailed as a Merchant Marine Captain. Phyllis retired as this provided the opportunity for them to live in Scotland, Spain, and the Alps of Austria. 

Their hearts then drew them “home”. In 1988, they purchased a Victorian home on Elk Street in Franklin. The restoration of this home became their labor of love and they restored it back into the beautiful home it was when built in 1905.

When her daughters were young, Phyllis was a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout leader, and also served as a neighborhood Girl Scout chairman. 

Phyllis became an active community member of Franklin. She volunteered at the library, Venango County Historical Society, and DeBence Antique Music World. She especially enjoyed her time with DeBence as she and Frank were active volunteers from the museum’s beginning.

Phyllis enjoyed spending time quilting and was a member of the Oil Valley Quilt Guild. She provided cherished memories by making quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

She spent many enjoyable years as an active member of Wednesday Club- a literary club with a long history in Franklin. Phyllis was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by her children, Judy (Thomas) Gibbons of California, David (Shannon) Weltner of Lancaster, Susan (Daniel) Nash of Texas. Other survivors include six grandchildren; Kerri Gibbons (fiancé Mark Ruggiero), Erin Statkus, Frank Weltner, Jennifer (Nate) Boland, Christa (Cori) Holt, Stephanie (Alex) Gilmore. Nine great-grandchildren; Asher, Jackson, Clara, Molly, Elizabeth, Constance, Patrick, Collin, and Hardy. She is also survived by her brother Duane (Fran) Whitehill of Hydetown; her sister in-law Margie Weltner of Florida; her beloved cousin Barbara Blum of New York City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Gary Whitehill and his wife Helen, sister in-law Dora Jean Whitehill, brother in-law Robert Weltner, brother in-law Howard Weltner and his wife Virginia, sister in-law June DeLong and her husband Richard, and two loved nieces, Lori Whitehill and Diane Snyder.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 312 West Park Street, Franklin.

Service information will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesbury Foundation’s Spiritual Care Fund at The Wesbury Foundation 31 North Park Ave. Meadville, PA 16335-994 or DeBence Antique Music World Donations and Support 1261 Liberty St. Franklin, PA 16323

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffGuthrie.com.