Philip X. Fickes

Phil was born to Russell and Verena Fickes and went to school in Mattoon, IL, and later attended Eastern Illinois University. He met his future wife, Judy Fickes (Rappe) in high school, when he saw her run across an athletic field – a memory he recounted throughout his life.

An Army veteran, he was proud of his Military Police and Honor Guard service in Heidelberg, Germany; their children were to grow up viewing annual slide shows of their parents’ mid-60’s European travels and watching The Sound of Music. He then worked in sales for many years before joining and retiring from State of Illinois Department of Transportation after 25+ years. Settling in Chatham, IL he and Judy raised their surviving son, Phil, and daughter, Deanna, who blessed them with five grandchildren to love and spoil. Settling briefly upon retirement in Morton, IL they enjoyed living near their daughter and granddaughter where Phil would frequently pick up his granddaughter after school for coffee and ice-cream. Young at heart, Phil would frequently make extended trips to visit his Marine son and be the loving grandpa that actively played with his grandchildren and creating memories they cherish and will pass along. Later settling in Bonita Springs in 2016, Phil and Judy would spend their summers visiting family and winters hosting their children and grandchildren.

Phil is survived by three siblings - Dennis Fickes, Sandra Hardin and Katherine Armstrong. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - https://ssvpusa.org/