Earl Lee Phillips, Sr., of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 19, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Johnson, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Earl was born on May 9, 1945 in Jonestown, MI to Houston and Ledora (Washington) Phillips. He worked at Statemark for 13 years. Earl married Ernestine Ford on November 7, 1965 in Jonestown, MI. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He loved working on cars, being with loved ones, and watching the Cubs.
He is survived by his wife, Ernestine; his 11 children, Marvin Ford, of Streator, Earl Phillips, Jr., Dedra Phillips, of Springfield, Billy Phillips, Streator, Paul (Page) Phillips, of Streator, Rodney Phillips, of LaSalle, Tanta Phillips, of Ottawa, Leslie Phillips, of Ottawa, Brittney (Tristan) Finley, of Ottawa, Anthony Phillips, of Hillboro, Ashely Davis, of Ottawa, 33 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Phillips, of Chicago, Willie Phillips, of East Moline; a sister, Shirley Phillips, of Streator, and host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 9 brothers, Percy Phillips, Houston Phillips, Slyvester Phillips, James Phillips, Edgar Phillips, Roberts Phillips, Jessie Phillips, Odessa Phillips, Dennis James Phillips; and two sisters, Clara Davis and Viola Phillips
Pallbearers will be Billy Phillips, Paul Phillips, Aaron Phillips, Bobby Phillips, Terrance McKinley, Tristan Finley, Sr., Kimph Johnson, and Orlando Matos.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Marvin Ford, Tristan Finley, Jr., John Feehan, and Slyvester Phillips.
He was laid to rest in the Garden of Hymns.