Order of the Eastern Star Sylvan Chapter #251

09/26/2026

They are the best!! We are all excited to serve our community soon!

09/23/2026

Sisters and Brothers, I am so sorry to be sharing this news. Sister Candy was a vital part of our chapter and our community.

09/18/2026

Sisters and Brothers, it is with a heavy heart that I share this news. While sister Phyllis was not a member of our chapter she was always there to help when we needed her. She will be greatly missed by all.

Phyllis Ann Gaff, 88, of Hamilton, Indiana died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

She was born February 17, 1938, in Ashley, Indiana to Harold and Mabel (Albright) Rowe.

On August 2, 1986, she married Richard L. Gaff.

Phyllis had worked at Lamans in Hamilton and retired from Pittsfield in Hamilton. In the 1970s, she owned and operated the Copper Kettle in Ashley.

Phyllis was a member of Alvarado Church in Hamilton. She was a dedicated member of the Ashley Order of the Eastern Star, joining on June 7, 1960. Throughout her many years of service, she served as secretary for 25 years and as Worthy Matron. She also served as District Deputy during 1976–1977, 2010–2011, and 2018–2019. She was a Grand Electa from 2015–2016 and served as Grand Representative to Scotland from 1994–1995 and to Illinois from 2007–2008. Phyllis was also a member of Hamilton Pythian Sisters #51 and Hamilton Rebekah #251.

Phyllis had a love for flowers and enjoyed spending time tending to her flower gardens. She was an avid fan of IU basketball, Gonzaga basketball, and the New York Yankees. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, as well as traveling with Richard, especially her trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving are her husband, Richard Gaff of Hamilton; six children, Pamela Mergy-Jennings of Hamilton, Deborah Mergy-Mihalec of Auburn, Lori (Patrick Demeo) Mareane of Atlanta, Georgia, Cindy (Rory) Young of Butler, Eric (Jennifer) Gaff of Hamilton, and Jeff (Heidi) Gaff of Hamilton; nine grandchildren, Victoria (Josh) Pankop, David Mihalec, Shawn (Kate) Mariani, Arica (Allen) Swygart, Adam (Rose) Thiel, Bryce (Trista) Gordon, Ryan (Katelyn) Gaff, Brittney (Landon) Walker, and Bridget (Spencer) Bledsoe; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Vicky Mergy; a son-in-law, David Jennings; and a grandson, Tyson Gordon.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Hudson/Ashley Chapel, 612 North Main Street, Hudson.

Eastern Star services will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday followed by the funeral service officiated by Pastor Rodney Snyder all at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Circle Cemetery near Hudson at a later date.

Preferred memorials are to the Hamilton Garden Club.

Share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com

08/04/2026

These two sisters, along with their husbands are both celebrating 50th wedding anniversaries this month. Congratulations to Sister Janis and her husband Eric, and Sister Carol and her husband Brother Helmuth on 50 years!

04/08/2026

Congratulations Sister Barb, Grand Representative to South Carolina!! We are so happy for you!

11/30/2025

Sisters and Brothers, please stay safe and warm throughout this weather event. Our regular stated meeting tomorrow night is canceled. While we are all sad to miss our favorite meeting of the year the safety of everyone is our priority.

10/01/2025

We’re not biased when we say the BEST elephant ears at corn school come from us and Meridian Sun Lodge!! Get them while you can at Corn School!

09/26/2025

Another fun day of parking cars with Sisters and Brothers from all over District 21!

Apparently at least twice people who are NOT members of our order saw our sign and said, “Eastern Star?! That means we park our car AND you feed us!” We definitely have a reputation.

09/24/2025

Our own WM Sister Charity is hard at work parking cars, raising funds, and bringing the fun in Auburn!

09/11/2025

Worthy Matron Charity and Sister Deb are in Fishers this evening for W**e & Wags, a fundraiser for the ICAN Service Dog project.