Russell L Phillips

Born July 17, 1920 in Pierceton, Indiana to Levi Russell and Blanche (Goering) Phillips, he married Marie Morrison in 1946. She died in April of 1981 in Pekin. He later married Mildred Bernadine "Micky" Hartman Bernhard on November 25, 1983 in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Sharon K. (Joe) Curtis of Lafayette, Indiana and Ellen M. (Rex) Dornon of Carthage; two granddaughters, Ashley M. Dornon and Nicole R. Dornon, both of Carthage; mother-in-law, Alma P. Hartman Duggins of Peoria; one step-son, Robert F. "Rob" Bernhard of Alton; and one half-brother, Bill Babcock.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife.

A United States Army veteran of World War II, he served from September 12, 1942 to November 5, 1945. He served in the Signal Corp in Africa, Italy, and France. He attained the rank of Private First Class.

Russ worked for Corn Products Company in Pekin for 32 years, retiring in 1972 as an instrument man. He later worked as a pipefitter out of the Steamfitters Local from 1972 to 1982. He also was a part-time funeral director assistant for Preston-Hanley Funeral Home in Pekin and Creve Coeur for many years, last working in April 2006.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Bible Church in Peoria and its Primetimer Group. He was an usher and was a former choir member at the church. Russ also was a volunteer blue coat escort at Proctor Hospital in Peoria for the past 15 years.

Russ enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.

His funeral will be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2006 at the Calvary Baptist Bible Church in Peoria, where visitation will be from 5 to 6:45 p.m. The Rev. Steve Weber and Rev. Luke B. Wolford will officiate. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church's missions fund, 2200 West Nebraska, Peoria, IL 61604.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel.