John Phillips Jr, 86, of Sesser passed away at 4:30 p.m. May 6, 2008, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
He was born June 30, 1921, in Sesser, son of John G. and Beulah (Hutson) Phillips. He married Geraldine "Jerri" Miller of Pinckneyville on May 28, 1944, in Camp Polk, La. She is deceased.
He is survived by a son, Jack R. Phillips and wife Stacie of Mt. Vernon; two granddaughters, Heather Dorr and husband Erik of Scottsdale, Ariz., and April Phillips of Mt. Vernon; two grandsons, Chase Phillips and wife Ly of Cupertino, Calif., and Breck Phillips and wife Staci of Sesser. Other survivors include two sisters, Madge Lovin of Alabama and Eva Basso of Sesser, several nieces, nephews and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a brother, Paul Phillips; and a sister, Dolly Phillips.
He was a Christian and a faithful committed member of First Baptist Church in Sesser for over 50 years. There he served as treasurer for 41 years.
In 1946, he began his lifelong profession in the monument business. In 1954, he founded Sesser Monument Company where he worked until his retirement. He was a Veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Sesser with Rev. Aubert Rose, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sesser and will be accepted at the church or may be mailed to Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, P.O. Box 624, Sesser, IL 62884.
