Kenneth Phillips

Kenneth Phillips

McCLURE, Ill. — Kenneth Dean Phillips, 95, of McClure died Saturday, April 27, 2024, at his home.

He was born Nov. 28, 1928, in St. Louis, the son of Romyn and Dorothy Brown Phillips. He married Barbara Lindsay on Dec. 27, 1958, in Alton, Illinois.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Barbara Phillips of McClure; children, Renee (David) Day of Memphis, Tennesee, Sheila (Doug) Dorsey of St. Louis, Dr. Kenneth (Emily) Phillips of Cape Girardeau, Kristi (Brian) Rowan of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Kirk (Lee) Phillips of Shelbyville, Kentucky, Clay Phillips of Cincinnati, Kyle (Gretchen) Phillips of Kansas, Illinois, and Gretchen (Darryl) Bunch of Jonesboro, Illinois; grandchildren, David (Shelly), Hunter (Derek), Haley (Trevor), Connor, Taylor, Troy, Kirk, Holden, Alaina, Stephen, James, Kaitrin, Seth and Hanneli; great-grandchildren, Leala, Emerson, Rowan, River, Della and baby Cora on the way; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings and their spouses, Donald (Ann) Phillips, Betty (Merle) Abercrombie and JoAnn (Keith) Wahlstrom; and two grandchildren, Asher David Phillips and Spencer Thomas Phillips.

Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the American Legion, the Missouri State Teachers Association and Farm Bureau. He graduated from the University of Missouri. For one year, he taught at Parkway High School in St. Louis before beginning his 20 year teaching career at Cape Girardeau Junior High School. Kenneth loved to work. So much so, it often carried over into his dreams. He loved farming, never considering it a job, but rather an honor to be on the land.

The family of Kenneth Phillips would like to give a special thank you to Residential Home Health and Hospice and the special women and men who helped take care of Ken his last two years.

Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the funeral home, with Ivan Ryan officiating. Interment will follow in Anna Cemetery. Military funeral honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the V.F.W. and the United States Marine Corps Funeral Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Residential Hospice, the American Cancer Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To visit Kenneth’s memorial page and leave online condolences for his family, please visit the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home website at www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.