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Visitation: 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora
Funeral Ceremony: 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia
Gary G. Phillips, age 75, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 22, 2021, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
He was born October 6, 1946, in Xenia, Illinois, the son of Donald Robert and Marjorie J. (Akes) Merrihew. He was united in marriage to Brenda Sue Easley on May 15, 1965, in Salem, and together they have shared 56 wedding anniversaries.
Gary enjoyed time spent camping, fishing, and hunting, including duck hunting with James and Kenneth. He enjoyed looking after his cats and dogs and had spent countless hours looking after hogs. Gary’s grandkids were truly his pride and joy, and family was always his number one priority. He took pride in taking care of and tending to family graves, always making sure that they were clean, mowed, and decorated.
He is survived by his wife: Brenda Phillips of Louisville; children: Robert (Mary) Phillips of Farina, Bert Phillips (Tabby Leathers) of Farina, and Becki (Steve) McKnelly of Louisville; grandchildren: Brandon (Gina) Phillips, David (Corryna) Phillips, Shayna Leathers, Becca Dalton, Aiden Leathers, Dylan McKnelly (Megan Brown), Nick McKnelly, Blake McKnelly, and Gabby Blair; 8 great-grandchildren; and siblings: James (Phyllis) Phillips of Salem and Dave (Celia) Merrihew of Flora.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: Bill Merrihew and Sue Eskew.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia. Visitation will be 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly prefers memorial donations be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence visit: www.frankandbright.com
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
Brenda, Becki,and family my heartfelt condolences to you all. He truly LOVED his family and was such a wonderful man to all!! May the hands of our Lord watch over each and everyone of you during these difficult days ahead. Love to all💞🙏💙🐟You have a Wonderful guiding ANGEL watching over each and every one of you, and the Big fish he will be catching will make him so Proud!!!Love to you all❤Kim Big Hugs& Love Becki😘
We’re sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Prayers of comfort for the family.
So very sorry for your loss!
Prayers and big hugs to my sister Brenda and her family. We Love and will miss Gary very much. Love You
So very sorry for your loss.Sending prayers for the family.
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was an amazing man who always brightened my day when we worked together. He was always quick with a smile. And I will forever miss his higs. May god bless you all and grant you comfort.
Gary was my lifetime playmate - in both child-and adulthood. He was the one you could rely on to sit with you in the hospital waiting room and keep you calm. He was the one you didn't have to call in an emergency because he was always there before you even knew you needed someone. He was also the one you could rely on to play that stupid practical joke. To say he loved family beyond all else is an understatement. If you needed a pair of pants, he'd take his off and give them to you. Literally. Seriously. If you needed him in the middle of the night to drive 600 miles to get you out of a jam, he'd use his last penny to buy gas and be on his way. My heart breaks because you're gone, Gary.
I hadn't seen Gary since I was growing up and we knew each other through family reunions and vacations. But time and distance never did fray the important connection I feel with my Illinois family. Family is like that and most certainly Gary made a forever impression on my heart. He was one of a kind wonderful. Love you Gary and give Aunt Margie a hug for me - your cousin Terry.
Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Prayers to everyone.You are in our hearts doing this rough time.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers 🙏 to all the families. Gary and Butch were 2nd cousins sharing many family reunions together.
So very sorry for your loss! Prayers for comfort & peace.
So sorry for your loss, he was a good and kind man and friend. Prayers for you and your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Gary's passing is heartbreaking. I hope you find comfort in knowing that we cannot remember Gary without thinking about how he made us laugh and smile. His gift to us is truly precious. My prayers and love are with you.
1960-64 Flora Township High School Prayers R.I.P Dave
As we pass through the journey of life, you realize that there are certain people that you are blessed to have met and been able to share time with. Gary Phillips was certainly one of those people for me. Gary worked alongside my dad and I on our family farm for many, many years. Gary, Brenda, and the entire Phillips family became part of our extended family. As my parents health failed and they needed help with anything, and I mean anything, Gary and Brenda were there at the drop of a hat. I truly don't even know all the things that they did, just out of the goodness of their hearts. I hope the family can find peace in knowing that Gary touched so many people's lives and that the world was and is a better place because of the time he spent in it. He was a special, one of a kind person that will be greatly missed by myself and many, many others.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
