Gene Merritt “Bird Dog” Philp, 82, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away at 6:05 am February 12, 2023, at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, Illinois. He was born April 10, 1940, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Merritt and Ileeta (Walker) Philp.
Gene is survived by his daughter, Susan Philp Baier and husband, Eric of Fort Wayne, Indiana; siblings, Elizabeth Moore and husband, James of Mount Vernon, James Philp of Waltonville, Illinois, and Mary Susan Philp and husband, Orin Heend of Arlington, Virginia; longtime friend of 11 years, Joann Walker of Waltonville; and several nieces and nephews.
Gene served in the Illinois National Guard. He was a retired coal miner and active in the operation of the Philp Family Farm. He worked for Consolidated Coal at Burning Star #4 in Cutler, Illinois. Gene was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1825, Mount Vernon Elks 819, Moose Lodge of Mount Vernon, Waltonville AmVets #148, and American Legion Post 280 in Benton. He was an avid outdoorsman, and hunter and took great pride in his bird dogs. Gene was a loving father, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed.
A Greeting of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. A Memorial Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Mr. Marty Mills officiating. Inurnment will take place at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville at a later date. Memorials may be made in Gene’s honor to Knob Prairie Cemetery or the Waltonville Alumni Association. Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
