Phyllis (Bihn) Zielinski

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Phyllis (Bihn) Zielinski, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who left us on July 31, 2025, at the age of 72.

Phyllis was the heart and soul of the family—known for her generosity, kindness, and unwavering love. A devoted wife to Frank, she and her high school sweetheart would have celebrated 49 years of marriage on August 13, 2025. She was a tough, but most loving mother to Heather and Brandi, and an overly proud grandmother to Riley, Kaylee, Mia, Morgan, and Mason. She also held a special bond with her parents, five brothers, and nine sisters, who shared in a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Phyllis grew up in Northwood, OH, and was a 1971 graduate of Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School. She pursued an Education degree at Bowling Green State University, and later continued her education at the University of Toledo. She was a dedicated teacher and school administrator for over 30 years. She taught at Oak Harbor High School, Central Catholic High School, Christ the King, St. Joan of Arc, and finished her career at Whitmer High School. She coached Volleyball and Track & Field at Oak Harbor High School, and she also helped to start and coach the Whitmer Girls Golf Team. She was involved for many years with the Toledo Junior Golf Association (TJGA), and was instrumental in starting the Northwest Ohio Girls Golf League (NWOGGL).

She had a passion for golf and spent many days on the course, finding both peace and misery in the game and in the company of family and friends. She was an avid student of the game who found joy in continuously working on her golf swing. She enjoyed playing in the Women’s Toledo District for many years alongside a great group of fellow golfers. Frank and Phyllis have been members at Highland Meadows for almost 40 years, where Phyllis won multiple Women's Club Championships. After retirement, Phyllis and Frank embraced life as “snow birds” and traveled to Myrtle Beach and eventually Florida in the winter to enjoy golf and warm weather year round.

Her greatest joy came from time spent with her grandchildren—whether she was cheering them on from the sidelines, playing Yahtzee around the kitchen table (but she never let her grandkids win!), or cooking her delicious pancakes. She was the stereotypical grandma that loved to spoil her grandkids rotten. Affectionately, she was not bossy, just “aggressively helpful;” she did not take “No” for an answer. Her love for her grandchildren was boundless and unforgettable.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Marcella (Wilde) Bihn; her sisters Helen Karl, Jeannette Bruns, and Juanita (Nina) Kozina; and her brother Tom Bihn.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, Frank Zielinski; her daughters Heather (Nick) McIntyre and Brandi (Jeff) Waltz; her grandchildren Riley and Kaylee Berends, and Mia, Morgan, and Mason McIntyre; and her siblings Bernard (Sandy) Bihn, Marcella (Sally) (Merle) Koenig, Sr. Mary Jeanette Bihn, Frank (Sandy) Bihn, Eileen (Larry) Lehman, Delores Oravec, Geri (Bob) Hart, Dennis (Sue) Bihn, Lois (Ed) Stribrny, and Mike (Jen) Bihn.

A visitation will be held at Walker Funeral Home (5155 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623) on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 3-8PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10AM, at St. Joseph Parish (5373 Main St, Sylvania, OH 43560), followed by the burial at Lake Township Cemetery (3550 Walbridge Road, Millbury, OH 43447) and luncheon (St. Joseph Parish Family Center). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.