Howard Alton Phillips, 75, a resident of the Graceland Addition, Elkins, departed this life Sunday morning, Oct. 20, 2002, at his home. He had been in declining health although death was unexpected and attributed to complications from diabetes.
He was born Monday, May 9, 1927, at Montrose, a son of the late Alton Phillips and Leecy Canfield Phillips.
On Oct. 3, 1947, at Elkins, he was married to the former Jeanette Lee Rennix, who survives. They had celebrated 55 years of marriage.
Also surviving are one son, Alan Eugene Phillips and wife, Brenda, Elkins; two daughters, Diana Peters and husband, David, and Kay Riddle and husband, Rob, all of Elkins; one sister, Betty Phillips Duckworth, Fairmont; two daughters-in-law, Beth Phillips, Elkins, and Dr. Joan Antolini Phillips, Winfield; eight grandchildren, Jamie Phillips and wife, Shelley, Fairmont, Jay Phillips and fiance, Crystal Roy, Elkins, Heather Phillips Lyons and husband, Matt, Culloden, Misha Phillips, Elkins, Laura Phillips and fiance, Ronnie Fullerton, Winfield, Matt Peters, Josh Phillips and Nic Phillips, all of Elkins; one great-grandson, Corey Phillips; one stepgreat-grandson, Tyler Plum; four special grandchildren, Mandy, Chad, Cody and Haley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sons, Alton Chester Phillips, William Howard “Bill” Phillips and Eric Wayne “Rick” Phillips.
He attended the Ivy Hill One-room School at Montrose and Elkins High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army. He had worked as a mechanic for the Monongahela Power Co. for 38 years, retiring as garage foreman in July 1985. He was a 25- year member of the Elkins Volunteer Fire Department, was an avid hunter and antique car enthusiast. He was a former “CB” operator with the handle of “mechanic.”
Friends will be received at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Walter H. Blough and the Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Parli will officiate and interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery at Elkins, where the H.W. Daniel’s Post 29, American Legion will present the American Flag. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangement for Howard Alton Phillips. www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com
