Anna Nadene Phillips

Anna “Nadene” Phillips, age 94, of Muncie, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Ball Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family, friends, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nadene became ill during the family’s annual fall vacation in Miramar Beach, FL. She was hospitalized there for 7 days before being transported back to Ball Memorial Hospital where she continued to be hospitalized for another week.

Nadene was born on November 26, 1930, in Reed Springs, Missouri, to the late James and Dora Reagan. She loved telling her birth story of only weighing 2.5 lbs on a chicken scale when the midwife told her mother, “This one ain’t no good… might as well pitch it out the back window.” The midwife could not have been more wrong.

Nadene attended elementary and middle school in Missouri and Oklahoma before moving to Yorktown, Indiana at the age of 15 to begin her high school years. She worked full-time at the end of each school day, and on weekends, at the Castle restaurant on St. Rd. 32 in Yorktown. Everything that Nadene made in wages and tips went to support her family. She was happy to contribute to her parents and younger siblings even if it meant missing out on typical high school activities and events. Helping others, combined with her selfless nature, were consistent character traits throughout her entire life. Nadene graduated from Yorktown High School in 1948 and began working at Associates Investments in Muncie, Indiana.

When Nadene was 18 years old, she met the love of her life, Gerald Phillips, Jr. at Tippecanoe Lake at the well-known Tippy Dance Hall. She married her eternal love on July 23, 1950. Together they shared 57 years of marriage that was truly a marriage made in heaven.

Nadene founded Wee Wisdom Nursery School in the basement of their family residence in 1970. Her first four students were members of the Yorktown United Methodist Church. Her genuine love of children, and the families she served, resulted in the success and growth of Wee Wisdom until her retirement in 1988. Nadene has always been, and will always be, the heart and soul of Wee Wisdom Nursery School & Child Care Center, Inc., currently owned and directed by her daughter, Denise Allen, since 1988. Nadene also served as the president of Delaware County’s Nursery School Association prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Yorktown United Methodist Church, where she attended for many years while able.

Nadene is survived by one daughter, Denise Phillips Allen; one son, Gregg Phillips (wife Stacy); two grandsons, Cole Phillips Allen (wife Betsy) and Garen Phillips; one granddaughter, Nadia Phillips Paul (husband Jason); two great grandsons, Kaden Phillips and Lennox Allen; three great grand-daughters, Raya Paul, Etta Paul, and Camille Allen; one brother, John Reagan (wife Katie); three sisters, Eileen Ringer; Sonja Isbell; and Sarah Barngrover (husband Barney); brother-in-law Ralph Waddell; a very special nephew, Larry Roetken (wife Linda), and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Phillips, Jr.; her parents, James and Dora Reagan; an infant son, David Phillips, three sisters, Rita, Bunny, and Dorthea Reagan; one grandson, Nicholas Phillips; and life-long friends Don and Joan Stiffler, Robert and Wanda McKibben, Dot Humbert, Marilyn and Gene McCord, June and John Fuller, and Barbara and Max Humes.

The family invites everyone to join in a celebration of Nadene’s life and legacy at 11 am on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Yorktown Methodist Church at 2301 S. Broadway in Yorktown, Indiana, with Pastor Matthew Leffler officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Ridge Memorial Park.

Friends may gather to share and remember Nadene from 4pm – 7pm on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Elm Ridge Funeral Home at 4600 W. Kilgore Avenue in Muncie, and one hour prior to the funeral service at 11am on Tuesday.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to dear friends, Deron and Angie Clark, who loved Nadene like their own grandmother, and helped care for her during her final years. The family would also like to thank April Dampier, who served as Nadene’s day-time caregiver for the past two-and-a-half years. April was a blessing to the entire family and is now a dear friend. Next, the family would like to thank several very special physicians: Dr. Megan Zelasko, Muncie Primary Care, and Dr. Ahmed Behery, Dr. Najm Siddiqui, and Dr. Degesew Bezza, Hospitalists at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, who provided Nadene with exceptional, compassionate care. Lastly, the family extends sincere appreciation to Candi Wickliffe, with IU Health Hospice, who guided them through Nadene’s final hours allowing for a peaceful passing, and Gayle Fuller Gernand, who maintained a powerful prayer chain during Nadene’s hospitalization.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Yorktown Methodist Church, 2301 S. Broadway Street, Yorktown, IN 47396.