Phyllis M. Leinonen

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Phyllis M. Leinonen, of Summerdale, Ala., was born Dec. 27, 1938, in Poplar, Wis. to Emil and Helen (nee Nykanen) Hietala. She died peacefully on Nov. 9, 2017, at her son’s home in Arlington Heights, surrounded by her family.

Phyllis worked at Zion-Benton HS and Warren THS in Lake County, Ill. In retirement, she was an excellent pianist and singer, performing in retirement homes and churches in southern Alabama and northern Wisconsin and Michigan. In addition, she was an award- winning artist whose paintings are greatly enjoyed by family and friends.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Dale Leinonen; her children, Alan (late Barbara) Leinonen and Diane Leinonen; her grandson, John Leinonen; her siblings, Ethel Hoover, Linda Pearson, Joyce Bunnell, June Endres, Lorraine Rukavena and Gayle Richton.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Toivo “Don” Hietala, Stanley “Stan” Hietala, Dale “Willie” Hietala and Carolyn “Carrie” Waliczek and Gloria “Jeannie” Hietala and by her parents.

A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2018.

Funeral information and condolences can be found at GlueckertFH.com or by calling (847) 253-0168.