Phyllis Felesita Yrlas "Fela"

Our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, and sister went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 17, 2025, with her family at her side. Age 99 years. 

Fela was born on October 20, 1925, daughter of the late Josephina (Benites) and Bendal (Elvira) Sanchez, in Thomaston, Texas. She came to Michigan in 1951. She married Valentine Hernandez; he predeceased her on June 22, 1956. She later met Bonifacio Yrlas and married on January 23, 1976. He predeceased her on January 31, 2016. Fela was a hard worker and took pride in every job she held. She especially loved her position as a waitress at El Farolito Restaurant for many years. She was very loving and nurturing to her children and the many people that she would encounter over the years. She never met a stranger. Fela was a longtime and the oldest member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed attending the church festival and dancing to the Mexican Music. Playing BINGO, going on casino trips and gardening were among her favorite pastimes. She was truly a social butterfly. Fela enjoyed cooking delicious meals for her loved ones. Her tamales and tortillas were the best. She will be remembered for being loving, caring and helpful to others. 

Surviving are her children, Frank and Arno Neitzelt, Gloria (Dennis) Haubenstricker, Rosita Hernandez (Dave) Klimkewicz and Valentina Hernandez (Carlos) Cantu; step-children, Rosemary Yrlas, Bonifacio (Virginia) Yrlas, Jr., Ricardo (Oralia) Yrlas, Alfredo Yrlas, Arturo (Vicki) Yrlas, Roberto Yrlas and Ron (Tammy) Yrlas; 26 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Mamie Davis, Tino (Julie) Sanchez, Ernest (Rose) Sanchez, Elvia (Art) Torrez and Alice (Jesus) Munoz; sisters-in-law, Mary Sanchez and Aurora Sanchez; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who became like family. She was predeceased by her grandsons, Ruben Ornelas and Alex Huerta, granddaughter Viela Neitzelt Gallagher, great grandson, Kingston J. Darby, brothers and sisters, Jesusa (Marcelino) Gonzalez, Avelina Jones, Ben Sanchez, Lupe Sanchez, Antonio (Amelia) Sanchez, Jessie (Sue) Sanchez and Art Sanchez. 

Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, February 24, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 910 N. 6th. Avenue. Fr. Frank Voris, O.F.M., Cap will officiate with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at W. L. Case and Company, 4480 Mackinaw Road, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer vigil starting at 7:00 p.m. and also at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. Joseph Catholic Church.