Rev. Phyllis E. Arnold

Reverend Phyllis Arnold, 79, of LaSalle, transitioned to Heaven peacefully on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at OSF St. Francis in Peoria. 

A celebration of life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024 at Mighty Word Church, LaSalle with Rev. Neil King officiating. Visitation will be held on the same day, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with arrangements. A dinner for family and special guests will be held at the conclusion of the
service.

Phyllis Evelyn Kreger was born December 5, 1944 in Elk River, Minnesota to Arnold Kreger and Evelyn Kreger (Kliever). She married Thomas Arnold on September 7, 1979.

Phyllis' life was dedicated to helping others, starting as a school teacher in North Dakota, and then working as program director in the chemical dependency field in both men's and women's facilities. She was a practicing psychologist for several years before moving to Oklahoma where she taught psychology before entering the ministry. She and her husband, Tom, co-pastored in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she also pioneered the Breath of Life ministry. Phyllis and her husband, Tom, co-founded AIM, Associated Interdependent Ministries, and traveled internationally developing leaders that last. She also founded WIIN, Woman's International Impact Network helping to establish women in their ministry callings. She also co-pastored Midwest Cathedral-Mighty Word Church in La Salle, Illinois with her husband, Tom.

Phyllis was also an entrepreneur, working with her husband to renovate and restore many homes and buildings in several states and cities. She was an interior designer and operated a retail design studio and furniture store for a number of years. Phyllis will be remembered for the many lives she has touched, her love of gardening, decorating, and working along side her husband in the many projects they developed in La Salle and Oklahoma. She leaves a legacy of love and leadership for others to follow. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Reverend Thomas E. Arnold, sons, Lance Farthing (Erin), Timothy E. Arnold (Jana), Aaron E. Barnett (Hannah), Neil and Karen King. Grandchildren: Ryan Mikesh, Jordan Mikesh, Devin Farthing, Joseph Brouillette, Jacob Arnold, Donna Arnold, Kevin (Gabriela) King, and Shekinah King. Brother, Paul Kreger (Debbie), and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Evelyn Kreger, her sister, Eleanore, her brother, Lawrence, and a great cloud of witnesses.

Contributions may be directed to: A Legacy Gift to AIM c/o Mighty Word Church

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