Wood River—Phyllis A. Benvenuto, 81, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Christian Hospital Northeast.

Born Sept. 14, 1944 in Decatur, IL, she was a daughter of Roy W. and Lorena M. (Kefauver) Benvenuto.

Phyllis earned her Master's degree in education from SIU and taught for many years in the East Alton School District # 13.  She enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, especially St. Louis Cardinal baseball.  She was a longtime member of Rosewood Heights General Baptist Church.

She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; her dear friends, Cheryl and Vernon LeClaire of Alton; and helpful neighbors, Todd and Alice Northway.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Linda Cannon, and her brother, Charles "Benny" Benvenuto.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 11 at Paynic Home for Funerals from noon until services begin at 1 p.m.  Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com