Gary G. Phillips, age 75, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 22, 2021, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
He was born October 6, 1946, in Xenia, Illinois, the son of Donald Robert and Marjorie J. (Akes) Merrihew. He was united in marriage to Brenda Sue Easley on May 15, 1965, in Salem, and together they have shared 56 wedding anniversaries.
Gary enjoyed time spent camping, fishing, and hunting, including duck hunting with James and Kenneth. He enjoyed looking after his cats and dogs and had spent countless hours looking after hogs. Gary’s grandkids were truly his pride and joy, and family was always his number one priority. He took pride in taking care of and tending to family graves, always making sure that they were clean, mowed, and decorated.
He is survived by his wife: Brenda Phillips of Louisville; children: Robert (Mary) Phillips of Farina, Bert Phillips (Tabby Leathers) of Farina, and Becki (Steve) McKnelly of Louisville; grandchildren: Brandon (Gina) Phillips, David (Corryna) Phillips, Shayna Leathers, Becca Dalton, Aiden Leathers, Dylan McKnelly (Megan Brown), Nick McKnelly, Blake McKnelly, and Gabby Blair; 8 great-grandchildren; and siblings: James (Phyllis) Phillips of Salem and Dave (Celia) Merrihew of Flora.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Bill Merrihew and Sue Eskew; and a cousin: Johnny Akes.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia. Visitation will be 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly prefers memorial donations be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence visit: www.frankandbright.com
