Phyllis Lucille Crouse, 78, of Lebanon, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at her residence at Otterbein. Born on June 10, 1947 to Miles and Ruth (nee: Stewart) Crouse in Smith Center, Kansas, Phyllis graduated from Sterling College in Kansas in 1966. She taught in Kansas for many years before moving to Kentucky to work for the Red Bird Mission.  She taught 1st grade there and while doing so earned her Librarian certification. She then took over as the librarian when the position became available. Phyllis was passionate about teaching children to read, and she was instrumental in starting the Accelerated Reading nation-wide Program in the Red Bird schools.  In 2012 she retired and moved to Otterbein.

While at Otterbein she helped in the library, was a member of the handbell choir, sang in the Women's Chorus, and learned to knit.

Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her brother Randall (Barbara) Crouse of Lebanon and her sister Shirley Crouse of Lebanon.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.