Phyllis was born in Grabill, Indiana to Herman Neuenschwander and Margaret Geiger Neuenschwander. Phyllis was preceded in death by her sibling, Arzetta Mae Gruber and her spouse, Arthur Matthew Gaunt. Phyllis is survived by her children Jennifer Harris, Michele Ortiz, and Matthew Gaunt, grandchildren April Hoke, Joshua Harris, Jeremy Harris, Courtney Duty, Angela Ortiz, Michael Ortiz, Wesley Gaunt, great-grandchildren Aiden Hoke, Jackson Hoke, Hayden Harris, Karston Harris, Adley Harris, Evangeline Harris, Charlotte Duty, Arthur Duty, Eleanor Duty, Noelle Ortiz, Clementine Ortiz, and Joshua Gaunt, and one great-great-grandchild Luke Harris.

"However, there shall be a distance between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measurement. Do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." Joshua 3:4

The Joshua 3 passage was a meaningful passage for Phyllis, as she and husband Arthur understood what it meant to start out on a new journey, having no idea of what was ahead. They took many bold steps of faith and moved into many different ministries over the 50 years in full-time ministry with the Christian & Missionary Alliance. From their hometown of Fort Wayne, IN and their first church, to Wheaton, IL to pastor in a new area. From there they moved to Kokomo, IN where Arthur served as a full-time evangelist for 16 years, while most of those years Phyllis stayed home with their children. They then ventured to pastoring again in San Diego, CA and then on to New York City. It was after New York City that they retired, but still continued in various ministry opportunities in Mechanicsburg, PA, Statesville, NC, back to Fort Wayne, IN to care for Phyllis’ father and then to Newland, NC to be close to one of the children. Phyllis continued her journey alone after Arthur passed. She lived in Boone, NC and lastly in Deland, FL where she completed her 96-year journey. As Phyllis would attest, God’s faithfulness to His people in the Joshua passage, was the same faithfulness to her and Arthur throughout their life’s journey.

A Memorial Gathering for Phyllis Ann Gaunt will be held at 11:00am-1:00pm, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone, NC. Burial following at the First Baptist Church Cemetery in Newland, NC for family only.

Donations to Operation Christmas Child would be greatly appreciated. This was a ministry Phyllis participated in during her years at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone, NC. When she could no longer help pack and organize the Christmas boxes, she would sit and pray over each box that was to be sent. Donations can be made through this link:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/phyllis-ann-gaunt-deland-fl/

Online condolences may be sent to Phyllis's family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.