Elizabeth M. "Liz" McPhearson, age 81 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family after an extended illness.  She was born September 5, 1937 in Elwood, the daughter of Roy and Mary (Wright) Cole.  Liz married the love of her life, Raymond McPhearson, on March 20, 1954 and shared over 65 years of marriage together.  She worked as a nurse aid and housekeeper for Mercy Hospital in Elwood for 12 years until she retired in 1989.  Liz and Ray were members of Heartland Church in Tipton for 20 years.  She enjoyed taking walks all over town and traveling with her family.  Liz especially liked to go see waterfalls and truly enjoyed spending time outdoors.  She also liked to care for her yard and garden, and she loved to plant and care for flowers around her home.  Liz was a great cook and was known for making delicious pies for everyone she knew.  She loved people and animals and never met a stranger.  Anybody who met Liz could feel her love and her desire to make everyone around her happy.  More than anything, Liz was a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Liz's family includes her husband of 65 years, Raymond McPhearson of Elwood; 3 children, Mike (wife Sue) McPhearson of Lake Worth, FL, Marsha (husband Jon) Kreps of Elwood, and Mary Sizelove of Elwood; 2 brothers, Russell (wife Judy) Cole of Frankton and Charles (wife Martha) Cole of Kokomo; sister, Joan McTaggert of Florida; 5 grandchildren, Greg (wife Jamie) McPhearson of Lake Worth, TX, Kelly (husband Terry) Bixby of Alexandria, Mitch (wife Amber) Coots of Elwood, Ashley (wife Venus) Sizelove of Elwood, and Chelsey (husband Steve) Casas of Elwood; 7 great-grandchildren, Dylan Coots, Melanie Mosier, Jaydan McPhearson, Kelsey Bixby, Cayden Casas, Luke Bixby, and Cam Casas; and several nieces and nephews.  Liz was preceded in death by both her parents; 4 sisters, Phyllis Bush, Beatrice Cole, Florence Walden, and Marie Cole; 2 brothers, Ralph Cole and Butch Cole; an infant sister; and an infant brother.

A funeral service celebrating Liz's life will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Jerry Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in Forrestville Cemetery in rural Summitville.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursday, prior to the service at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  In honor of Liz's love of animals, memorial contributions are suggested to the Elwood Animal Shelter through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.