Phyllis Jean Ryburn

Phyllis Jean (Ramage) Ryburn 74, of Washington, died Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Waynesburg. She was born February 24, 1944, the daughter of the late Frank L. and Daunice (Clutter) Ramage. Phyllis was a graduate of the first graduating class of McGuffey High School in 1962 and then attended Penn Commercial Business School graduating in 1964. She began working at Union Camp/ International Paper where she retired in 2007.

On October 7, 1969 she married Donald E. Ryburn and made their home on the family farm, “Ryburn Homestead” for over 45 years until his death February 23, 2015.

Phyllis was in the Claysville 4H Horse and Pony Club founded by her father, where she exhibited riding horses, then founded Silver Bits 4H Club where she was a leader for 37 years. Phyllis participated as a member of the Washington County 4H Advisory Committee, a coach for the Horse Judging Bowl Team through the extension office, and advisor for Washington County Council.

Phyllis was named outstanding 4H leader in 1985 and again in 1996. She exhibited light horses and draft horses and attended the Washington County Fair for more than 60 years. She served as the draft horse Superintendent for 12 years, and was a member of the Washington County Horse and Mule, and the Pennsylvania Draft Horse and Mule Associations. Over the years she thoroughly enjoyed watching her son’s exhibit horses, and her granddaughter Maddie exhibiting horses, lambs, goats and pigs.

After retirement Phyllis enjoyed traveling to many draft horse sales and shows across the United States and Canada to watch the Ryburn Homestead Belgians show.

She enjoyed studying family history and genealogy, tending to her flowers, and grooming and decorating horses for many people at the shows and sales. She loved traveling to Holmes County Ohio to visit and shop with her Amish friends, and she attended the Dover Horse Sale for more than 30 years with friends and family.

Phyllis is survived by her two sons Robert “Bruce” and Joseph “Mark” (Niki), granddaughter Madison "Maddie" Ryburn, two Sisters Mary Kay Hrobak and Janice Buckingham, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, great friends, and she was a mother figure to numerous "kids" who spent time at the family farm.

In addition to her parents and husband Phyllis is preceded in death by her sister Charlene Caldwell.

Friends will be received Sunday from 6-8 pm and Monday 2-4 and 6-8 pm, in Building 4 at the Washington County Fairgrounds, where services will be held at 11am Tuesday June 19, 2018. Burial will follow at the Ryburn Homestead.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be addressed to 2151 N Main Street Washington and made C/O the Washington County Fair or
the Washington County Horse and Mule Association in memory of Phyllis

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