Mervin John Phillips Sr.

Mervin John Phillips, Sr. of Oceanside, CA passed away on March 20th, 2021 at the age of 82. Merv was born in Mishawaka, IN on October 8th, 1938. He resided in Mishawaka until 1987 when he and his wife Sandy moved to Lagrange, GA. They called Georgia home until 1997, then moving to Oceanside, CA to be closer to their son and his wife.

Merv attended Mishawaka High School, playing Football all four years, graduating in 1958. He treasured Mishawaka, its hometown feel, and the people he called friends and coworkers. Although he said little and generally kept to himself and family, he often spoke fondly and kept pictures on the walls of his memories of Mishawaka.

After graduation he joined the United States Navy serving for two years. After Leaving the Navy he went to work at Wheelabrator Corporation in Mishawaka in 1962 where he worked his entire career until 2000. Over the years he attended Ivy Tech Technical School and other vocational and management institutions, always working to add to his education and opportunity for himself and his family. He earned 5 journeyman’s cards, including Electrician, Machine Repair, Welder, Machinist, and Millwright. He ascended to Plant Manager at Wheelabrator where he helped the corporation start and grow the corporate facilities and personnel in both the La Grange and Newnan Georgia plants.

He married his wife Sandy (Kronewitter) June 26th, 1965 in South Bend, IN. Married for nearly 56 years having their one son, JR, in 1968. He loved his weekends at Donnell Lake where he was with his entire family most every summer weekend in the 70’s and 80’s. Merv had a work ethic second to none and your work ethic along with how you treated others, kept your word, and honored your obligations determined how he felt about you. He saw no color and only judged his fellow man on their actions. No time for gossip or speaking ill of others and nothing could make him complain about anything. He was grateful and content as any man, especially when with his family, in particular his grandkids, never a happier man has walked the earth than Merv in the presence of his grandkids. With them daily from the time they were born, caring for them, shuttling them, teaching them, making them laugh, encouraging them, and when needed, letting them know they needed to work harder or do better. He adored them!!!

He is survived by his wife Sandra (Kronewitter) (Oceanside CA), son Mervin Jr. (JR), daughter in law Marie Phillips, grandkids Reagan, Kyler, & Camden. (Carlsbad CA)., his Sister Valarie McQueen and husband Michael (Elkhart IN), his Sister-in-law Donna Dickens and her husband Doug (South Bend IN), his Sister-in-law Anna Mae Kronewitter ( Mishawaka IN) ,nephews John Kronewitter (Grand Rapids MI), Joe Kronewitter (Clare MI), Clinton Dickens (Mishawaka IN), Shawn Dickens (Hamilton OH), Michael Phillips (Mainville OH), Kenneth Phillips (Fishers IN) and his many grandnephews, grandnieces and his labradoodle Maggy and German Shorthair Mika. He was preceded in death by his Parents Charles and Ada (Mishawaka IN), his sister Evelyn (Cassopolis MI), his brother Raymond (South Bend IN), his brother John (Mishawaka IN), and his sister Pat (Paw Paw MI)

There will be no services, Merv asked his ashes to be placed in the ocean and hoped his life of work, commitment, love, and integrity will live in all our hearts and guide us all to be better towards one another. In lieu of any gifts or flowers the family asks that you donate to your local vocational schools or institutions in his name. Ivy Tech Community College of South Bend/Elkhart Campus or Mira Costa College Vocational Programs would make Merv smile.