Photo courtesy of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin
Ballwin, Missouri
Apr 20, 1932 – Apr 17, 2020 (Age 87)
On April 17, 2020 Donald Gene Phillips joined his beloved wife Mary in the arms of the Lord.
He was born April 20, 1932 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the first child of Louie Robert Phillips and Mabel Olive Hyett. Several years after his birth the family moved to the Eldon Iowa area where he grew up and graduated from high school. On April 18,1952 he enlisted in the Air Force and became an air traffic controller. He met his wife, Mary Jean Findlay, at the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, in New Foundland and they were married on August 21, 1954. The following year they moved across the United States to Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, Washington, where he was discharged on April 17,1956.
He then was hired by the Civil Aeronautics Authority and began his career as an air traffic controller. He was assigned to the Saint Louis Air Traffic Control Tower as his first facility. Over the course of his career he was a supervisor at Lincoln, Nebraska and the first tower manager at Rapid City, South Dakota. He then became the manager at Moline,Illinois and retired from there in 1990 after 38 years of FAA service. After retirement he started his own cabinet business and raised several horses as a hobby.
Don was a member of Mary Our Lady Of Peace Catholic Church in Orion,Illinois, where he resided for 50 years with his wife and family before moving to Saint Louis, Missouri.
Don was a member of the VFW, the Elks Lodge, Orion School Board, Valley View Country Club in Cambridge, IL and served on various committees for the church. Among some of the projects he assisted with was raising money by building a house for the Orion Athletic Booster Club, the remodeling of the Catholic Church, and many other projects through out the area.
Don was a loving husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend to many. He enjoyed life and talking with and meeting people. He is survived by his seven children; Alan (Karen) Phillips, Mary Lynn (Jack) Bailey, Brian (Holly) Phillips, Janet Ianniello, Karen (Ken) Kempen, Robert (Jessie) Phillips, and Donna Phillips, seventeen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, his sister Joyce Watts and Sharon Fitzwater, brother Garry Phillips, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, brother Ronald Phillips and sister Iris Diane Pohren.
Services: Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Valley Park, MO, Thursday, August 13, 2020, 12:30 pm. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Attn: Don Phillips Memorial, 1402 10th Street, Orion, IL 61273. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Attn: Don Phillips Memorial, 1402 10th Street, Orion, IL 61273. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
Here are the links for the live stream of the funeral.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacredHeartParishVP/live_videos/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7kbT_cV-vyKB4wdqsyrnJw/videos
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Don was my garden buddy at Crestview Senior Living. The garden just isn't the same without him. I miss him and his sage advice. Carolyn Cotta (sometimes known as Marilyn)
Carolyn Cotta
August 13, 2020 | St. Louis, MO | Friend
I have too much to say to actually put to words. Don was a wonderful man a wonderful father, husband and a good friend. I don't think he ever met a person he didn't find something in common with. I once joined him a tour of the different Amish shops in Arthur Il. Frankly, he was the mayor, everyone loved him, he knew everyone by name and he was just inspirational to be around.
You never know the consequences of your actions but I can tell you that he changed my life and my...
Thomas Bailey
August 06, 2020 | Bourbonnais, IL | Acquaintance
Mary, my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dad to you and your family.
Alice (Catlett) Davila
August 02, 2020 | East Moline, IL | Friend
Miss, Donna J. -- I am so sorry to learn about your father's death. I know how close your family is to your heart. Please know that I am with you even though I am not there.
Becky Kinnamon
Rebecca Kinnamon
July 29, 2020 | IA | Friend
Our condolences to Uncle Don’s family, We are sure he will be missed, however he is with his wife Aunt Mary in Heaven. I will always remember his almost laughing smile. Lin and I had a chance to visit him and Aunt Mary when we lived in Iowa and looking back feel blessed with that opportunity as well as spending Mother’s Day together with them and Donna. God bless you all and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob & Lin Findlay
July 29, 2020 | Simpsonville, SC | Family
Don was a man everyone loved, including me. I well remember in 1971 his welcoming warmth when I started my career at the Mli Airport. The tower was above second floor on the north side of the runways. Hes such a humble, loving man. He accomplished so much in his lifetime; and I appreciate his efforts including his work at the Catholic Church. I enjoyed his suggestions and interest in helping my son become an air traffic controller. God bless his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
Marita Buysse Lough
May 05, 2020 | Orion, IL | Coworker
I feel blessed to have known & golfed with this remarkably nice man & unselfish veteran. He was a gift to our Sherman J. Sagadin VFW Post # 143 in Orion, Illinois. ...... Rest In Peace brother Don !!
Darrel Muhleman
May 05, 2020 | Orion, IL | Friend
Don was a great guy and a huge influence in our little village of Orion and a man behind so many projects at Mary, Our Lady of Peace church. We all hated to see them leave and move away. They were both sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to their family. Know that both he and Mary were greatly loved and appreciated here in Orion. So sad to lose such nice, warm and helpful man.
I was parish secretary at MOLOP for almost 15 years and worked with Don on many things.
Kay Scott
April 28, 2020 | Orion, IL | Coworker
My condolences to the Phillips family. I grew up in Orion with Don, Mary and the Phillips family. Growing up, Don was one of the dads that was always there supporting the church, the community at town events and at school activities. Don helped me become an air traffic controller for which I will be eternally grateful. God bless.
Mike Papini
April 25, 2020 | Sycamore