Jack R. Phillips, 86, of Greenfield, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Select Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on Aug. 4, 1929, in St. Louis, as the son of Jesse and Ellen (Francis) Phillips. Jack graduated from Zalma High School in Missouri and attended South East Missouri Teachers College. He taught school in rural Missouri before enlisting in the Navy during the Korean War. He worked for Delco Remy, a division of General Motors, for 31 years in advanced engineering and received a patent for his work on ignition systems. Jack married his high school sweetheart, Melva (Richards) Phillips on January 8, 1949.
Jack liked fixing things and figuring out how they worked. True to his farm-boy roots, he also enjoyed gardening and growing plants. He especially enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren. He was a member of Park Chapel Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Melva; children, Steve (Peggy) Phillips of Greenfield and Amy (Steve) Shaw of Batesville; six grandchildren, Jacqueline Youngstafel, Carolyn Boulton and Luke, Emily, Heidi and Chloe Shaw.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Ellen Phillips; sisters, Emogene Gould and Nadine McDaniel and son, Jack (Jackie) Phillips.
Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A Celebration of Life with be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, also at the mortuary. Reverend David Woods will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield with military rites presented by the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be sent directly to American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, www.lung.org/donate/, or envelopes will be available at the mortuary.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
