P.J. Bloomar

Phyllis Jeanne (P.J.) Bloomar, 95, passed away at her home, with her son J.D. at her bedside, in Topeka, KS on September 23, 2025 after a brief respiratory illness.

P.J. was born on January 23, 1930 on the farm in Smith County, KS near Lebanon, KS. Her parents were Russell Glenn and Florence Mae (Long) Newell. She had no siblings.

Life on the farm was a challenge for the family and she was so very pleased to move to “the big city of Lebanon” around age 14. Her father Russell left farming and owned and operated a hardware store on main street while her mother worked as a telephone operator. P.J. would help her father in the hardware store with cleaning, stocking, and assisting customers.

Phyllis graduated from Lebanon High School in 1948. In the high school annual, it is recorded on the prophecy page “Twisting this telescope to sight Paris (France) I find Phyllis Newell modeling the latest Paris creations and the wife of famous designer, Auturo Pierre.” Additionally, on the class will page “Phyllis Newell wills her long, black hair to Nita Bartcher.” She was proud of graduating high school and looking toward her future of leaving Smith County for a much bigger city. She loved fashion clothing and was known for her denim jeans along with black and white colors for professional occasions.

On November 23, 1950, P.J. married Kenneth James Visonhaler in Lebanon, KS with her grandfather James Grant Newell, Justice of the Peace, officiating. One child, Sheryl Sue, was born on December 27, 1954. This marriage ended in divorce in 1957. P.J. was now a single mother of a nearly 3-year-old daughter and returned to Smith County to live with her parents.

P.J. worked at the Stage Coach (a novelty travel store) on U.S. 36 HWY in Smith Center. P.J. then worked for John J. Patzel, OD, the local optometrist, as a chair side assistant and optician. So much of her new life began in this optometrist’s office. There she met, and fell in love with, James Wright Bloomer, who was six years younger than her. James would deliver items to the doctor’s office and began courting this young divorcee with child. In the winter, James would deliver his warmed vehicle to P.J.’s residence so she could drive to work, while he walked 2-3 blocks in the cold to his employment.

On August 15, 1961, Phyllis Jeanne “P.J.” Newell married James Wright “Jim” Bloomer of Smith Center, KS at the United Methodist Church. Although the family surname Bloomer originally represented iron workers, it unfortunately became attached to female undergarments; they changed the family surname to Bloomar to protect their young daughter from childhood bullying. To this union one son, James Dean “J.D.” Bloomar, was born in WaKeeney, KS on September 29, 1963. The family would relocate several times before moving to Topeka, KS in July, 1967.

When J.D. was old enough, P.J. returned to work as an optician in 1974 for Byers Optical located in the Fairlawn Plaza Mall in Topeka. The founders Chris & Rosalie Byers wished to retire and in 1978, P.J. encouraged her husband to consider opticianry as a new career. They purchased the optical business and operated it together with Jim working the Downtown store and P.J. working the Fairlawn location. She “retired” in 1995, with Jim continuing to work the optical store until his birthday at age 80. Byers Optical ceased operation on September 30, 2016.

During this time, P.J. had employees at Byers Optical who became cherished life-long friends… Ellen (Morrisey) Jones and Denise (MacMillan) Schaffert who visited the home regularly until her death. It is a very strong testament to P.J. on how she loved the optical business along with her customers and employees. She shared her knowledge, experience, and love for many years.

P.J. was preceded in death by her father Russell Glenn Newell, her mother Florence Mae (Long) Newell. Her husband James Wright Bloomer also preceded her in death on April 22, 2022 after 60 years of marriage. She is survived by her son J.D. of the home in Topeka, KS and her brother-in-law BGen W.A. (Sue) Bloomer, USMC (Ret) of Wichita, KS, and cousin Jerry (Mary Lou) Beardslee of Topeka. Additionally, she is survived by her lifelong friends Ellen (Barry) Jones of Harrisonville, MO and Denise (Steve Harrison) Schaffert of Topeka, KS. Special remembrance is extended to her hair stylist Audra Deshner and care giver Mardi Feldman. Her beloved cat Holly Jeanne Bloomar with the Little White Toes also survives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, Inc https://www.hhhstopeka.org/donate-online/.

Honoring P.J.’s request for cremation, this was entrusted to Dove Cremations & Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker RD, Topeka, KS 66610 www.DoveTopeka.com.

A private “Celebration of Life and Inurnment” will be held November 15, 2025 at the Memorial Park Cemetery Cremation Garden, 3616 SW Sixth Ave, Topeka, KS.