Joan Elizabeth DePhillips

Joan Elizabeth (nee Russell) DePhillips, 94, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, died November 13, 2025 while recovering from a recent fall. She was born April 2, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to David Thomas and Katherine Cecil (nee Callahan) Russell.

Joan was preceded in death 41 years earlier by her beloved husband Eugene Francis DePhillips. She was also preceded by her parents and her dear aunt Elizabeth "Pat" Spitler, who was instrumental in raising her after Joan's mother died when she was 4 years old.

Joan is survived by daughters Karen (Paul) Mast of O'Fallon, Illinois and Mary Catherine "Cathy" (Norm) Patterson of Arlington, Texas; grandchildren Tony (Julie) Mast, Jonathan Patterson, Doug (Shawn) Mast, and Jennifer (Micah) Antill; great-grandchildren Austin Mast, Abby (Cameron) Walther, Holden Mast, Erin Mast, Nolan Antill and Samuel Antill.

As a military spouse, Joan moved her family to Rantoul, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Sumter, South Carolina; Magnolia, Delaware; and Naha, Okinawa. She retired as a bookkeeper from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware in 1987.
Joan was lovingly known as "Tyke" to her family in Pittsburgh and as Big Gram to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as family friends. She enjoyed many years of love and companionship with her dogs, birds and even treefrogs. The perfect morning for Big Gram was sitting on her patio with a cup of tea with one of her pups by her side followed by an afternoon working in her yard where she always displayed a beautiful array of flowers.

Joan was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church since moving to the area in 1987. She assisted the church as a Heavenly Duster, volunteered with the school lunch program and provided meals for underserved members of the community.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Randy's Rescue Ranch, 1400 E. Highway 50, O'Fallon, Illinois or your local pet shelter.

Visitation: 1 – 2 pm, Friday, November 21, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill. Service will begin at 2 pm, at the funeral home with Fr. Carl Schrage officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.