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Phyllis Jean Ramage Ryburn

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Phyllis Jean Ramage Ryburn, 74, of Washington, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, in Waynesburg.

She was born February 24, 1944, a 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, from 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 Claysville 4-H Horse and Pony Club founded by her father, where she exhibited riding horses, then founded Silver Bits 4-H Club, where she was a leader for 37 years. Phyllis participated as a member of Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee, coach for the horse judging bowl team through the extension office and adviser for Washington County Council.

Phyllis was named outstanding 4-H leader in 1985 and again in 1996. She exhibited light horses and draft horses and attended Washington County Fair for more than 60 years. She served as the draft horse superintendent for 12 years and was a member of Washington County Horse and Mule and Pennsylvania Draft Horse and Mule associations. Over the years, she thoroughly enjoyed watching her sons 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 and great friends. She was also a mother figure to numerous “kids” who spent time at the family farm.

In addition to her parents and husband, deceased are her sister, Charlene Caldwell.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Building 4 of Washington County Fairgrounds, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 19. Burial will follow at Ryburn Homestead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be addressed to 2151 North Main Street, Washington, and made care of Washington County Fair or Washington County Horse and Mule Association.

Arrangements are being handled by Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 219 Main Street, Claysville, PA 15323, 724-663-7373, www.youngfhinc.com.

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