Klepper Vail

Phyllis Ruth Klepper Vail, 71, of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, two years after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Born on July 31, 1954, in Butler, Phyllis was the youngest of eight children of K. Elizabeth “Betty” and John Klepper. She was predeceased by her parents and her sisters, Maxine Kaufman and Shirley Dunn.

Phyllis is survived by her beloved husband, Richard “Rick” Vail; and her siblings, Joan Gumpp Ferringer, Rita (Ed) Curven, Karen Gacicia, Dorothy Chutz and David (Linda) Klepper. She is also lovingly remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a growing number of great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

A 1972 graduate of Slippery Rock High School, Phyllis went on to attend Point Park University before transferring to the University of Southern Maine, where she earned her degree in elementary education in 1976. She dedicated 25 years of her life to teaching sixth grade at Bonny Eagle Middle School in Maine’s School Administrative District 6 in Buxton, Maine. Phyllis believed deeply in the value of education and enjoyed working with her colleagues in helping to better the lives of her students.

Beyond the classroom, Phyllis gave her time and energy to her community. She served on the boards of the Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston, Maine, and the Southern Maine Women’s Golf Association.

Seeking a warmer climate after 41 years in Maine, she and Rick moved to Florida in 2018.

Phyllis was an independent, social and stylish woman, whose intelligence and sense of fun made her a joy to be around. She had a wide range of interests — reading with her book clubs, traveling, shopping, cooking, assembling puzzles and playing games, especially at every gathering she hosted. An avid golfer, Phyllis achieved three holes-in-one during her playing days. She also prided herself on her impeccable organization and attention to detail, often joking about her “little bit of OCD” when it came to cleaning.

Above all, Phyllis found her greatest happiness in the connections she built — with her family, friends, students, co-workers and fellow volunteers. Her warmth, humor and generosity touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Phyllis will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives she brightened.

Celebrations of Life will be held in the following locations:

■ Fort Myers: Dec. 2, at the Plantation Golf & Country Club from 2 to 4 p.m.

■ Butler, Pa.: Dec. 5, at Lake Arthur Country Club from 2 to 4 p.m.

■ New Jersey: Dec. 7, for family.

■ Falmouth, Maine: Dec. 10, at the Woodlands Country Club from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Bonny Eagle Scholarship Foundation (check payable to Bonny Eagle Scholarship Fund and sent to Pat Nolan Stack, 72 Richville Road, Standish, ME 04084) or The University of Southern Maine Foundation (link to Phyllis’ giving page: https://tinyurl.com/VailP).

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.