Ethel (Foreman) Phillips

Ethel Phillips, age 96, of Detroit, IL passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, IL. She was born November 3, 1927, in Eau Claire, WI to Vincent James and Vera Leona Biersecker Foreman. Ethel married Joseph L. Phillips January 11, 1953, at Pittsfield United Methodist Church and he preceded her in death October 19, 1985.

Ethel was a 1945 graduate of Higbee High School in Pittsfield. She began her career as a telephone operator in Pittsfield and then went on to work at the Macomb office. Ethel later moved to Springfield and worked for United Producers Dairy and became the secretary of Farm Bureau in Pittsfield. After she and Joe married, she became a farm wife and kept the books for the family farm. Ethel became a member of Pittsfield United Methodist Church and later moved her membership to Detroit Methodist Church, celebrating over 71 years as a member. She was a dedicated and valued member of her congregation, serving as Sunday School teacher, member of United Methodist Women and wore many hats assisting with Vacation Bible School over the years. Ethel enjoyed planting flowers and tending to her vegetable garden and canning her bountiful harvest. Over the years, she and her partner in crime, Lillian McAllister attended many activities and fundraisers throughout the county. Ethel loved spending time with her granddaughters and always enjoyed having the family together and spent countless hours researching family genealogy. Ethel was a 50-year member of Detroit Home Extension; Little Blue Club, a group that met monthly from the Detroit area; and the Pike Porkettes, a women’s auxiliary club of Pike County Pork Producers. Ethel was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother who thought the world of her family and she will be dearly missed by all.

Ethel is survived by sons, Loren Vincent Phillips, William Earl (Vicky) Phillips and Dwight Edward (Lynn) Phillips, all of Pittsfield, IL; grandchildren, Erin Phillips, Jennifer (Dipanjan) Ghosh and Jessica Phillips; great grandchildren, Brooks and Charlotte; sisters-in-law, Betty Bradshaw and Marion Phillips; niece, Shelley Meyers; nephew, Donald Kent (Dorothy) Foreman; great niece and nephew, Ben and Emily Meyers; and several other nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Vera Foreman; husband, Joseph Phillips; brother, Don ‘Peachy’ Foreman; in-laws, Loren and Sarah Phillips; and several brothers and sisters in-law.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at Blue River Cemetery in Detroit, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to Blue River Cemetery or Blessing Hospice. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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