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Merle Phillips Obituary
Merle Olive Garton Phillips, age 111, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 18 in her apartment at Belmont Village. She was born April 2, 1907 in Kingston, AR. Her family moved to Iowa after her father’s death when she was 4 months old. Merle had 11 brothers and sisters. All have preceded her in death.
Merle loved to read as a child and continued her entire life. Her mother restricted her to 2 books a week. She grew up on a farm surrounded by family.
Merle graduated from High School in 1926. She graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with 2 Bachelor’s Degree in Math, Psychology and Education in 1930. She received her Master’s from the University of Iowa in Social Welfare in 1933. She also received her teacher’s certificate and wanted to teach Math but did not.
Merle met, Leonard Phillips, the love of her life, at the University of Iowa. They married May 26, 1937. Leonard died of Leukemia, February 13, 1968 in Wheaton, IL. Together they hitch hiked across America on their vacations creating many memories. Merle and Leonard delighted in “tricking” each other particularly on April Fool’s Day. Once Merle put cardboard in his sandwich for lunch, another time she put cotton inside candy as a “treat”. Leonard’s collection of butterflies were donated to Buena Vista University along with financial support to build the Bell Tower.
Merle wrote 11 books, all were autobiographical and contain stories of her life experiences. Her last book was Beautiful Peebles.
Merle has been a member of One Church Wheaton, formerly Wheaton Wesleyan since 1958. She was also an active DAR member with the Perrin Wheaton Chapter. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, a leader of kids clubs and children’s ministry at church. In her 90’s she was known to climb trees and go down the slip and slide.
Merle worked at the Rock Island Arsenal during WW II. Later she and Leonard moved to Chicago where she worked in the research lab later known as Sherwin Williams Paint Company. When she retired 3 people were hired to replace her. She retired at 70 yrs. old but continued working in the Wheaton area caring for children and elderly adults. Her final retirement was at 99 ½ years old.
Merle became a resident at Belmont Village in Carol Stream after living in Wheaton for over 60 years. She has been very active riding the stationary bike, playing scrabble, soduko, trivia, bingo,attending church services and Bible Studies.
She leaves behind great nieces and nephews, children she baby sat and their families, and many friends, including John Hedstrom, who came to her home or Belmont Village nightly to play games, and assist her in any way needed.
Services will be at One Church Wheaton, 1300 S. President, Wheaton, IL on Saturday, August 25 beginning at 9 am with visitation and service time at 10 AM. Burial will be in LeClaire, IA at 3 PM beside her husband at Glendale Cemetery on August 25.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Feed My Starving Children, 555 Exchange Ct., Aurora, IL 60504 or The Salvation Army or One Church Wheaton, 1300 S. President, Wheaton, IL 60185
Memories and Condolences
for Merle Phillips
6 Entries
Judy Kubica
September 7, 2018
I just found out Merle went to Heaven in August. I knew her from Belmont Village where my mother-in-law, mother and father had resided. She was an icon there. Everyone was amazed and how healthy she was and how quickly she moved around and how involved she was. She was an inspiration to us all and she will be missed very much by everyone who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, Merle.
Shirley Samuels
August 27, 2018
Aunt Merle was an amazing woman. She collected information and printed biographies of her parents families beginning in the late 40's and copywriting them in 1979 and 1884. She started with the year our ancestors entered this country - 1635 and 1840.
Nick and Patricia Haskins
August 25, 2018
Merlre was an amazing person. She may have been small but she made a big impact!! She will always be remembered as a person that loved God and lived to tell others about Him. She also wanted everyone to know that age is just a number. At 111 she still had a sharp mind, rode a stationary bike 30 minutes a day and never let her aches and pains prevent her from living a full life. I will deeply miss my friend, she was definitely a part of my family. I asked her when my Mother died, Murrel Wright, if she would be my substitute Mom. She said she would be honored. I was the one that was honored. There will never be another Merle Phillips, she was one of God's chosen "jewels" to make this world a better place. I will miss you Merle...but I know that you are enjoying heaven to the fullest, just like you did your life here!! All my love, Patricia
Dr. James Hedstrom
August 21, 2018
During a break from college, 1962-1964, I boarded with Merle and Leonard. Both of them were wonderful Christian people, wholly transparent and without guile. During later years, after Leonard's death, Merle formed a relationship with my family in Wheaton, often playing Scrabble with my mother and younger brother. This couple was one of a kind and God's real saints.
Ken Converse
August 20, 2018
I had the privilege of knowing and working with Merle for 23 years through our association with Buena Vista University. Merle was one of the few people I have met who genuinely care for other people more than themselves ... She lived the Golden Rule in everything she did. She had a heart of gold loving her God, neighbors and special causes more than anything. She was an inspiration to me and many and will be missed by more...
The Hultgren Family and Staff
August 20, 2018
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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