Phyllis Ida Emma McBroom, age 83 of Highland, formerly of Hammond, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 10, 2011.

She is survived by her four children:

Ellen (Ronald) Benigno of Brea, CA

Marcia (John) Reffkin of Mobile, Al

Gary McBroom of Hammond and

Gregory (Judy) McBroom of Griffith

8 grandchildren: Laura, Ben, Matthew, Andrea, Ronnie, Danny, Steve and Lisa

7 great grandchildren: Leah, Adeline, Hayden, Lucy, Anna and twins, Sara and Emma.

1 Sister, Charleen (Dick) Swan of Clare, MI

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Lester A. McBroom and her parents, Albert and Ethel Fuhrman.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. directly at Concordia Lutheran Church, 7441 Grand Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) with Pastor Ronald Saatkamp officiating. Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery in Hammond. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Sunday, March 13th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville).

A native of Chicago and a resident of the Calumet Area since 1944 Phyllis was a faithful member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She retired in 1966 from the School City of Hammond and may best be remembered as the crossing guard at 165 ^th and Parrish for Harding Elementary School. Phyllis had also retired from Van Til Supermarket in Hessville. She was a member of the Hammond Democrat Precinct Organization, served as Commissioner of the Hammond Housing Authority and was a former member of F.O.P. Lodge #51. Phyllis enjoyed taking camping trips with her family to Potato Creek State Park. She loved politics, golfing and a good martini. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Phyllis's memory to the charity of your choice. For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219)-844-1600, or visit us at www.bockenfunerals.com .