MONTICELLO – Francis William Phillips, 89, of Monticello passed away at 1:05 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 28, 2012) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Francis was born Dec. 5, 1922, in Portage des Sioux, Mo., to William C. and Amanda Oyler Phillips. He married Alice L. Miller on Feb. 21, 1942. She preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2011.
Surviving are their three children, Joy Rathe of Monticello, Ken (Wendy) Phillips of O'Fallon and Julie (Dennis) Quimby of Hopewell; and one sister, Jean (Chuck) Clinard of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Also surviving are six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.
Francis attended the University of Illinois for a year in 1941-42 and then transferred to the UI (Chicago) Pharmacy School from 1942-43. His education was interrupted when World War II broke out and Francis enlisted in the Navy.
After his discharge in December 1945, he and Alice returned to the Monticello area. He began operating the Bement Frozen Food Locker Plant and in 1946 they moved to Bement, where they led a very active community and church life.
As a member of the Bement Presbyterian Church, he served as Elder and Clerk of Session. He also found time to be a member of the Bement Lion's Club, American Legion and the Bement Centennial Committee. In 1955, he compiled and edited the Bement Centennial book, "The Bement Story."
Upon moving to Monticello in the summer of 1958, they transferred their membership to the Monticello Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder, Clerk of Session, Finance Committee chairman and chairman of the Pastoral Committee. While running the Locker Plant in Bement, he held several second jobs, including setting the type and printing the sides of the Country Charm Dairy milk cartons.
In 1964 he began working for Keith Hutson at Americana Healthcare Centers as director of Insurance and Administrative Services.
In 1972 while still working at Americana, he assisted Alice in developing a very successful Shaklee business, where they attained the rank of Coordinator and received nine bonus cars.
After Americana was sold in 1982, Francis went to work at J.D. Johnson & Son Insurance Agency in Decatur. He was manager of the group insurance claim department for the next eight years before retiring in 1990 at the age of 68.
Francis and Alice enjoyed their home on Circle Drive for 51 years until they moved to Tatman Village in September 2009.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, 215 E. Washington St., Monticello. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tim Bauler officiating. Burial will be in the Monticello Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Tatman Village or a charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.
