John Leonard Phillips

John Leonard Phillips, of Watertown, Michigan passed away at home on the morning of October 17,
2025.
John was born on January 18, 1931 to the late Mary and Irwin Phillips of Yale, Michigan. He
graduated from Yale High School in 1949, then served honorably in the US Army for two years. He
married Catherine Wood at the Mt. Pleasant Church in Applegate on October 17, 1959.
John loved fishing, bowling, pheasant hunting and playing cards. He was an avid reader, particularly
of Western and mystery novels. He took his last breath with family near, his pipe at hand, and his
beloved Westerns on the television. He will be remembered for his playful sense of humor, an
occasional casino run, good-natured teasing, and backyard baseball games. His grandchildren fondly
remember games of cribbage with Grandpa.
John and Catherine settled in Watertown, Michigan, where they lived for six decades. John worked at
the Sanilac County, Michigan Road Commission for 28 years, retiring at 62 years old. He then
worked an additional 21 years at Albrecht Sand and Gravel, where he was affectionately known to
many as "Unc." He could move anything, break anything, and fix anything. He went on many a parts
run and was known to sometimes lay down on the cool shop floor to nap. His fondest fishing
memories are of the ponds at Albrecht's.

John and Catherine wintered in Holiday, Florida for over two decades, where John enjoyed riding his
bike, reading, playing cards with friends, and quiet Sunday mornings with Catherine away at church.
John is preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Roberta (Ed) Moyer, brother Jerry Phillips,
sister Shirley (Edward) Fletcher.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Catherine; son John D. Phillips of Sandusky, daughter Beth
(Bill) Wheat of Carsonville, and son Wallace (Darcie) Humphrey-Phillips of Bad Axe; sister-in-law
Connie Phillips; Grandchildren David (Morgan) Pritchett, Jonathon (Jennifer) Loss, Michael Phillips,
Jamie Loss, Isabel (Connor) Dean, and Wyatt Humphrey-Phillips. He is also survived by eight great
grandchildren: Blake, Michael Jr., Brooklyn, Maddison, Hunter, Carson, Kip, and Realynn.
The family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 am on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Marsh Funeral
Chapel of Sandusky, with a Memorial Service at 11 am. All are invited to the Sandusky First United
Methodist Church for a luncheon in Wesley Hall following the service.
Memorials in honor of John Phillips may be made to Compassus, Sandusky First United Methodist
Church, or the Sandusky Community Foundation/Albrecht Field.