Marinelle Phillips

1943 - 2025

Marinelle Phillips, 82, of Hamilton, Illinois, passed away Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, at her home in Hamilton.

Marinelle was born March 21, 1943, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Arthur and Ida Ruth (Andrews) Jairl.

On Nov. 1, 1997, she was united in marriage with John Phillips at New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2017.

Marinelle was employed at Sheller-Globe for 13 years before moving to Head Start for the next five years of her career. She was then employed as a housecleaner and finished her working career at Keokuk Area Hospital in janitorial. She volunteered at the hospital gift shop following her retirement. Marinelle's life was based around two things: her faith and her family. She was a devoted member of New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, where she faithfully served by filling communion trays weekly, packing freezer meals, assisting with VBS, and doing anything else that was asked of her. Her faith permeated her life, and if you met her, you heard about the power of Jesus. She attended a monthly lady's luncheon, a Tuesday night Bible study, a Wednesday morning Bible study called the Esther Bible Study Group, and attended Sunday and Wednesday night services at the Lighthouse Worship Center in Hamilton. Her family was her world, and her grandchildren were her life. Marinelle will always be remembered for her endless generosity, her authentic and fun-loving personality, and her enjoyment of dancing, shopping and silly hats. She was known to paint ceramics, frequent yard sales, and take countless pictures, earning her the nickname of "paparazzi mom." Whenever you needed her, Marinelle was there for you.

Marinelle is survived by two daughters: Lori (Ken) Webermeier of Freeport, Illinois, and Karena Haage (Neil Schwab) of Keokuk; two sisters: Linda (Harold) Enzroth of Carthage, Illinois, and Judy (Mike) Hewko of Connecticut; her brother James (Betty) Jairl of Connecticut; three grandchildren: Shane Happs of Nauvoo, Dalton Haage of Keokuk and Madison Bailey of Carthage; seven great-grandchildren: Ash, Damien, Isabella, Zeke, Kyler, Bexley and Arwen; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marinelle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John; three sisters: Joyce (Don) Reece, Nancy Worrell and Sally (Charles) Howes; her brother Stanley (Norma) Jairl; and her special friend Dewey Hester.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, with visitation held at the church from 12 noon to 2 p.m. directly before the service.

Memorials may be directed to New Testament Christian Church.

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.

?Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.