Phillips & Plunkett
The Generations Since
Hendricks County, Indiana — and everywhere the family went next
For many years the Phillips family record was kept by Lydia Finch and Joy Plunkett Johnston at
finchroots.com,
tracing the line from George Phillips — who came ashore from the ship Endeavour at the
Delaware River on January 23, 1683 — down through ten generations of farmers, Quakers, soldiers
and settlers to the children born at Danville and Greencastle in the middle of the last century.
It is a careful piece of work, and this page does not replace it. It continues it.
What follows takes up the account where that one leaves off, in the same order and by the same
reckoning of generations. Nearly all of it comes from the family itself — the Family Twigs
returned by hand and by web form ahead of the reunion of September 12, 2026, and the memory boards
and family sheets the families brought to the reunion itself. Where a twig and the
older record disagree, both are set down. Where no one has written in yet, the family is named
and the space left open.
Living family members are given by name and year only.
The seven generations that came before Sarah — from the ship Endeavour in 1683 down to
her father, Eber Eli Phillips — are set out on the companion page,
Seven Generations Before.
Contents
(VIII) Sarah Frances Phillips & Wayne Allen Plunkett
1915–1999 · 1914–1982
Sarah Frances Phillips was born May 22, 1915, daughter of Eber Eli Phillips and Flora Pursell,
and the eighth generation of her family in America — her line runs back
to the ship Endeavour in 1683. Wayne Allen Plunkett was born January 23, 1914 at
North Salem, in Eel River Township, son of Alva Cecil Plunkett and Golda Dowdy.
They were married March 14, 1936 in Hendricks County, the Rev. John Shoemaker officiating and
Frank Tucker keeping the clerk's book.
On September 12, 1963 they bought the farm in Section 27 on County Road 200 North from
Herschel Holtsclaw, who had held it since 1937 — ground first patented to George Washington
Turner in 1837 over President Van Buren's signature. They had farmed it as renters before that.
In February 1969 the equipment was sold at public auction, Wayne's health having failed.
Wayne Allen Plunkett died June 13, 1982 at Danville, age 68. Sarah survived him by seventeen
years and died August 13, 1999, also at Danville, age 84. They are buried together at
New Winchester Cemetery.
The reunion of September 12, 2026 falls on the sixty-third anniversary of the day they
signed for the farm.
Children of Sarah (Phillips) and Wayne Plunkett:
- (IX) Joy Jean Plunkett (1937–2013)
Born October 5, 1937 at Hadley. Married Leonard Glenn Johnston,
September 1, 1956. Died March 2, 2013 at Lakeland, Florida, and was brought home to be buried.
See below.
- Beverly Beth Plunkett (b. November 11, 1941)
Married William Wayne Harmless; later divorced.
See below.
- Bennie Allen Plunkett
Died shortly after birth.
- Darrel Leon Plunkett (1946–2013)
Born February 25, 1946. Married Linda Sturm, February 23, 1968.
Died August 30, 2013 and is buried in Hendricks County.
See below.
- Dixie Lou Plunkett (b. September 12, 1956)
Married Wintfard J. “Bud” White Jr. on April 14, 1978.
The reunion falls on her seventieth birthday. See below.
Uncle Mutt and Aunt Lucille. Herschel and Lucille Holtsclaw owned the Section 27 farm from
1937 until they sold it to Wayne and Sarah in 1963, and in the early 1950s rented it to the
Chandler family while the Plunketts lived in Danville. To the Plunkett children — and to the
Chandler children — they were never the landlords. They were Uncle Mutt and Aunt Lucille.
— remembered by Dixie Plunkett White
(IX) Joy Jean Plunkett 1937–2013
Born October 5, 1937 in Hendricks County. Married Leonard Glenn Johnston.
L. Glenn Johnston was born February 5, 1934 at Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, in his grandparents'
home, son of Donald Graydon Johnston and Vivian Johnson.
Joy kept the family's history for many years and, with her daughter-in-law Lydia, put it
online. A great deal of what is written on this page survives because she wrote it down first.
Children of Joy Jean Plunkett and L. Glenn Johnston:
- (X) Glenn Wayne Johnston (b. July 20, 1957, Greencastle)
See below.
- (X) Julie Ann Johnston (b. December 11, 1958, Greencastle)
See below.
- (X) Donald Gregory Johnston Sr. (b. June 21, 1960, Greencastle)
See below.
(X) Glenn Wayne Johnston b. 1957
Born July 20, 1957 at Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana.
Married 1.) Martina Marie White · 2.) Brenda Lydick · 3.) Angela Short.
Martina Marie White is the daughter of Wintfard James White Sr. (1933–2017) and Martena Ann
Smith (1935–1997), and the sister of Wintfard J. White Jr., who married Dixie Lou Plunkett.
The White family joined this one twice, a generation apart.
No twig has been returned for this family.
Children of Glenn Wayne Johnston and Martina White:
- (XI) Glenn Wayne “Wayne” Johnston Jr. (b. April 26, 1977, Danville)
Married Beverly Spiegel, born April 24, 1979. They live at Danville.
Children of Wayne Johnston Jr. and Beverly Spiegel:
Case Johnston (b. October 31, 2009) · Ty Johnston (b. March 17, 2011)
· Knox Johnston (b. July 22, 2014)
- (XI) Suzi Brooke Johnston (b. September 4, 1980, Danville)
Married 1.) David Elza · 2.) Jason W. Winings.
Children of Suzi Johnston:
Brielle Brynn Elza (b. 2002) and Ciarah Macy Elza (b. 1999), with David Elza ·
Demetria L. Winings, stepdaughter
(X) Julie Ann Johnston b. 1958
Born December 11, 1958 at Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana.
Married 1.) Paul Rexford “Rex” Hammersley III · 2.) David “Dave” Dumser.
Children of Julie Johnston and Rex Hammersley:
- (XI) Sarah Elizabeth Hammersley (b. January 16, 1984)
Married Chris Sauber.
Children of Sarah Hammersley and Chris Sauber:
Cora Sauber (b. November 18, 2023) ·
Luke Sauber (b. October 15, 2025)
Luke's birth year is hard to read on the twig. Being confirmed.
- (XI) Samuel Alexander Hammersley (b. June 2, 1987)
Married Anna Eligio (b. 1986).
Child of Samuel Hammersley and Anna Eligio:
Alexander Hammersley (b. 2020), called Ace in the family
(X) Donald Gregory Johnston Sr. b. 1960
Born June 21, 1960 at Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana. Lives at New Winchester.
Married 1.) Laura Lynn Stewart, later Harris (divorced) · 2.) Lydia Carol Finch, at
Indianapolis.
Lydia Carol Finch was born September 20, 1965, daughter of Richard Bird Finch
(b. December 17, 1930) and Wanda Ruth Dennison Finch (b. January 19, 1931). It is Lydia
who built and kept finchroots.com, from which much of this record descends.
Asked on his twig for the best way to reach him, he wrote: “or just come over.”
Children of Donald Gregory Johnston Sr. and Laura Stewart:
- (XI) Donald Gregory Johnston Jr. (b. 1978, Danville)
Child of Donald Gregory Johnston Jr. and Stacey Porter:
Sheldan Christopher Davis (b. 1998), born Sheldan Christopher Johnston at
Danville, and adopted by his stepfather, Michael Davis.
- (XI) Matthew Michael Johnston (b. 1980, Danville)
Married Holly Browning.
(IX) Beverly Beth Plunkett b. 1941
Born November 11, 1941 in Indiana. Lived at Marion in 1950 and later moved to Danville.
Married William Wayne Harmless; later divorced.
Children of Beverly Beth Plunkett and W. Wayne Harmless:
- (X) Teresa Jayne “Teri” Harmless (b. September 3, 1963)
Married Patrick James “Pat” Wilson, son of Peggy and James Wilson.
Children of Teri Harmless:
Lindsay Rhea Spence (b. July 30, 1987), married Keith Spence (b. 1984) ·
Melanie Ann Theis (b. May 11, 1989), married Tyler Theis (b. 1987) — both daughters
of John Pointer.
Grandchildren of Teri Harmless:
Vincent Spence (b. 2013) and Max Spence (b. 2015), sons of Lindsay
and Keith · Grayson Theis (b. 2020) and Isla Theis (b. 2021), children of Melanie
and Tyler
- (X) Lee Ann Harmless (b. December 16, 1965)
No twig has been returned for this family.
- (X) Kristopher Wayne Harmless (b. July 24, 1977)
Married 1.) — · 2.) Jessica Sloan, daughter of Hugh Larry Sloan and
Rebecca Moore Sloan.
Children of Kristopher Harmless — all five his own:
Kyler Harmless (b. February 4, 1995) and
Kaylin Harmless Starkey (b. January 5, 1999), from his first marriage — he was young
when Kyler was born · Lori Harmless (b. August 24, 2004) ·
Elle Harmless (b. June 7, 2006) ·
Kristopher Harmless Jr. (b. September 24, 2012), known in the family as
K.J.
(IX) Darrel Leon Plunkett 1946–2013
Born February 25, 1946. Married Linda Sturm (1947–2021) on February 23, 1968 in Hendricks County.
Died August 30, 2013, age 67, and is buried in Hendricks County.
Children of Darrel Plunkett and Linda Sturm:
- (X) Jeff Allen Plunkett (b. August 20, 1969)
Married Shari Plunkett (b. 1969).
- (X) Jason Lee Plunkett (b. August 3, 1973)
Married Jessica Plunkett.
Children of Jason Plunkett and Jessica Plunkett:
Elijah Plunkett (b. 2001) · Ethan Plunkett (b. 2003)
(IX) Dixie Lou Plunkett b. 1956
Born September 12, 1956 in Indiana. Lives at Danville.
Married Wintfard J. “Bud” White Jr. on April 14, 1978 in Hendricks County. Bud White was born
March 26, 1956 at Indianapolis, son of Wintfard James White Sr. and Martena Ann Smith White,
and died October 16, 2007 at Danville, age 51.
His sister, Martina Marie White, married Glenn Wayne Johnston — Dixie's nephew by her
sister Joy. The two families are joined twice over.
Children of Dixie Plunkett and Bud White:
- (X) Rebekah Erin White (b. December 7, 1984)
Married Shane P. Spoonamore, born April 30, 1979. They live at Avon.
Child of Rebekah White and Shane Spoonamore:
Elin R. Spoonamore (b. December 15, 2016)
- (X) Anthony James White (b. August 3, 1987)
No twig has been returned for this family.
Harry Eli Phillips & Mary Agnes Gibbs 1920–1989
Sarah's younger brother, born January 26, 1920 in Clay Township, Hendricks County; died
January 8, 1989 at Indianapolis. Married Mary Agnes Gibbs.
The finchroots record names six children: Daniel Joseph, Katy, Christy, Patty, Sheila,
and Amy, who is deceased.
Children of Harry Eli Phillips and Mary Agnes Gibbs:
- Daniel Joseph Phillips
No twig has been returned for this family.
- Katy Phillips
No twig has been returned for this family.
- Christine “Christy” Phillips Flora (b. August 1952)
Married Tom Hill, son of Bradley and Ella Hill.
Children of Christy Phillips:
Sarah Olivia (b. May 29, 1978) · Thomas Bradley (b. October 25, 1979)
· Laura Elizabeth (b. December 31, 1980) · Emily Marie (b. November 22, 1982)
She signs her twig “Flora” but names a Hill husband, and the children's
surname is not written. Being confirmed.
- Patty Phillips Sickmeier (b. February 5, 1955)
Her twig names Barb and Herb Sickmeier as her husband's parents.
Children of Patty Phillips:
Aimee Hartman (b. September 28, 1992) ·
Timmy Sickmeier (b. February 26, 1997)
The birth year is hard to read — 1955, possibly 1951. Being confirmed.
- Sheila Phillips
No twig has been returned for this family.
- Amy Phillips
Deceased.
Donald W. Phillips & Wilma Janice Morphew 1925–2004
Sarah's youngest brother, born March 16, 1925. Married 1.) Wilma Janice Morphew (1930–2007; divorced)
· 2.) Alberta, whose two sons, Timothy and Richard, he adopted.
Donald W. Phillips died May 9, 2004 and is buried in Amo Cemetery, Amo, Indiana.
Children of Donald W. Phillips and Janice Morphew:
- John K. Phillips (b. November 29, 1948)
Married Rebecca Phillips (b. 1956), daughter of Orbrey O. and K. Anne Phipps.
Children of John K. Phillips and Rebecca Phillips:
Amanda Phillips Slater (b. June 15, 1974) ·
Angela Phillips Freemanis (b. November 27, 1983) ·
Ben Barnham (b. 1985), Rebecca's son from a previous marriage
Grandchild of John K. and Rebecca Phillips:
Lily Freemanis (b. 2010), daughter of Angela
- Penny Phillips Gordon (b. August 10, 1950)
Married Jack Gordon.
Children of Penny Phillips and Jack Gordon:
Amy Gordon Haskell (b. January 18, 1982) ·
Rebecca Gordon Lowen (b. November 5, 1984) · Chad Gordon (b. December 4, 1987),
married Rachel Davis · Rachel Gordon (b. September 26, 1989)
Grandchildren of Penny Phillips and Jack Gordon:
Emily, Gwen, Micah and Lydia Gordon, children of Chad
and Rachel Davis · Hannah Joy (b. 2016), Benjamin and Eliana (b. 2024),
children of Rachel Gordon
Rachel Gordon's married name was written S-K-R-H-A-A on the reunion
sheet and is unconfirmed.
- Vicki Phillips Johnson (1952–2025)
Born April 4, 1952. Married Ronald Johnson (1952–2024).
Children of Vicki Phillips and Ronald Johnson:
Kelly Johnson VanderWaal (b. 1972) · Christian Johnson (1976–2024) ·
Karen Johnson Arenas (b. 1981)
Grandchildren of Vicki and Ronald Johnson:
Michaela VanderWaal (b. 1999), daughter of Kelly — her sons
Brayden VanderWaal (b. 2017) and Gunnar VanderWaal (b. 2024) ·
Isabella Johnson (b. 2011), daughter of Christian ·
Diego Arenas (b. 2001), Antonio Arenas Johnson (b. 2003) and
Melanie Arenas Johnson (b. 2007), children of Karen
- David Phillips (b. January 23, 1957)
Married Connie Martin (b. 1958), daughter of James and Betty Martin. Born on Wayne
Allen Plunkett's birthday, forty-three years later.
Children of David Phillips and Connie Martin:
Wyatt Russell Ivan (b. September 14, 1990) ·
Amelia Olivia Ann (b. November 24, 1995)
- Eric Phillips (b. November 17, 1958)
Children of Eric Phillips:
Scout Phillips · Finley Phillips · Kara Phillips Purdy ·
Jeremy Phillips
- Mark Phillips (1963–2022)
Born March 11, 1963. Died July 23, 2022.
Adopted sons of Donald W. Phillips and Alberta:
- Timothy Phillips and Richard Phillips
Sarah's Other Brothers and Sister
- Wendell P. Phillips (1917–1992)
Born January 16, 1917 at Amo. A farmer. Never married. Died April 6, 1992
at Cardinal Healthcare Facility, Danville. His brother Richard cared for him.
- Mary Margaret Phillips (1918–1988)
Born February 12, 1918 in Marion Township. Married Marion Bartley.
Died December 9, 1988 at Danville.
Child of Mary Phillips and Marion Bartley:
Betty Jo Bartley
No twig has been returned for this family.
- Richard James Phillips (1921–1976)
Born December 31, 1921 in Clay Township. A farmer. Never married.
Cared for his brother Wendell. Died February 22, 1976 at Indianapolis.
- Barbara June Phillips
Died in infancy.
The Plunkett Side
Alva Cecil Plunkett (1886–1964) and Golda Dowdy (1888–1949) of Eel River Township had four
children: Cecil Carl (1906–1968), Maynard Eugene (1911–1968), Wayne Allen (1914–1982), and
Kathryne (1916–1959).
Cecil Carl Plunkett and Mildred Copenhaver:
- Sharon Adele Plunkett Walker (b. March 1, 1944)
Married Bill Walker, son of Frank and Ruth Walker, on January 13, 1963.
They live at Zionsville.
Children of Sharon Plunkett and Bill Walker:
Janelle Walker (b. December 24, 1964), married and kept her name ·
Pam Walker Hill-Gibson (b. January 31, 1966) ·
Janae Walker (b. April 24, 1969), married and kept her name
Grandchildren of Sharon and Bill Walker:
Jacy Hill (b. 1997), daughter of Pam · Chris Ebert (b. 2024),
son of Jacy
Maynard Eugene Plunkett and Kathryne Plunkett:
Maynard Eugene Plunkett was born in 1911 at Eel River and died January 7, 1968 at Quincy,
Morgan County. Kathryne Plunkett was born June 22, 1916 at North Salem and died
July 29, 1959 at Indianapolis.
No twigs have been returned for these families.
Is your family missing?
Every place this page says no twig has been returned is a family we know exists and
cannot yet describe. If one of them is yours — or if something here is wrong — tell us.
Corrections are as welcome as additions.
Submit Your Family Twig
Sources: Our Family Twig forms returned by the family, 2026 ·
reunion memory boards and family sheets, September 2026 ·
finchroots.com/phillips.htm,
compiled by Lydia Finch and Joy Plunkett Johnston ·
Hendricks County deed, marriage and cemetery records · the Spiegel family GEDCOM.