Phyllis J. VanAuken, 87, of Sebring went to be with her Lord on Monday morning July 14, 2014 at the Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring. She was born on January 17, 1927 in Troy, NY to parents Ora (Loker) and Elmer Smith. Mrs. VanAuken was a retired Judicial Assistant with the New York State Circuit Courts. She moved to Sebring in 2009 from New York. Mrs. VanAuken was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, CCW with the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Scotia, NY and the First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine. An avid reader Mrs. VanAuken enjoyed reading a good novel and loved spending time with her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 22 years who was a WWI veteran, Claude M. VanAuken and is survived by her loving daughters, Gail Mercer (Stephen) of Sebring, FL and Claire Luscombe (George) of McClenny, FL; 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate Mrs. VanAuken’s life will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday (Today) July 16, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine 111 Lake Josephine Dr., Sebring, FL with Rev. Kevin Aherns officiating.