Phillip Royce Emerson

Phillip Royce Emerson, a beloved husband, father, Pastor and friend, passed away on December 17, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on January 19, 1947, in Bryan, Ohio, Phillip was the son of Wendell and Dorothy (Fetzer) Emerson.

Phillip graduated from Auburn High School in 1965 and pursued higher education at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan, where he graduated in 1969. He furthered his studies at Duke Divinity School at Duke University, earning a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1972.

Phillip, known affectionately as Phil, dedicated over 45 years of his life to serving as a wonderful United Methodist Church Pastor in Indiana. His ministry began at the Pyrmont and Radnor Charge near Lafayette and continued through various congregations, including West Lafayette’s First UMC, the Knox UMC, Logansport’s Market Street UMC, Michigan City’s First UMC, Lafayette’s Trinity UMC, and the Good Shepherd UMC in Fort Wayne, before retiring in 2012. After retirement Phil was an interim pastor at three additional churches in Fort Wayne, Decatur and New Haven.

Phil is survived by his faithful and devoted wife, Phyllis Emerson, whom he married in Knox, Indiana, in February of 1981. He leaves behind three sons, Tony (Cindy) Williams, Dennis (Linda) Williams, and Dr. Nathan (Toral) Emerson, along with seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Kaye (Jim) Sorrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wendell Lee Emerson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Taylor Chapel Ministries, 10145 Maysville Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana. Calling will begin at 8:30 am and a service will follow at 10:30 am.

Memorials may be directed to Taylor Chapel Ministries.

Phillip Royce Emerson will be remembered as a gentle, honest, and inspirational figure who touched the lives of many throughout his life and ministry.