Kenneth Edward Phillips, 96, of Punxsutawney, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at Hillsdale Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hillsdale, PA.
Ken was born on January 12, 1918, in Punxsutawney, a son of the late John Matthew Phillips and Gladys Helene (Jordan) Phillips. He graduated from Clymer High School in 1935.
On April 4, 1942, he was married to Evelyn Matilda (“Tillie”) Grube in Punxsutawney at the First United Methodist Church.
During World War II, Ken served in the Seabees of the United States Navy and was a member of Company D of the 8th Naval Construction Battalion (known as “the Battling Builders”).
He achieved the rank of machinist mate, petty officer first class and did a tour of duty in the Aleutian Islands at both Cold Bay and Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Subsequently, he served as a welding instructor at Camp Parks, Dublin, California, and was later stationed at the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot in Albany, California.
After the war, Ken was employed as a welder and machinist. Early in his career, he was part-owner in two machine shops and later worked as a company representative/salesman for various machine shops in the area focusing on the repair of deep mine equipment.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: John Clarence (“Buddy”) Phillips, John Dwight (“Dud”) Phillips and James Earl Phillips. Buddy died as a child in a tragic sledding accident in 1922 in which 4-year old Ken was also involved.
In addition to his wife, Ken is survived by five daughters: Penny Neal and husband Charles of Radford, VA; Kathy Spielman and husband Harry of Indiana, PA; Pamela Measley and husband Tony of Hershey, PA; Cindy Phillips and Tracy Phillips, both of Harrisburg, PA. He is also survived by six exceptional grandchildren: Matthew Neal and wife Nancy of Granville, OH; Adam Neal and significant other Caroline Gaskins of Radford, VA; Katelin Stossel and husband Tony of Indiana, PA; Nicholas Spielman of Indiana, PA; Sarah Measley of Hershey, PA; and Nathaniel Measley of Wilmington DE. He also leaves behind four extraordinary great-grandchildren: Joseph and Emily Neal and Stella and Scarlett Stossel. Ken is also survived by two sisters-in-law, J. Joyce (Ryder) Phillips of Cumming, GA and Suzanne (Rhodes) Phillips of Frazeysburg, OH; a brother-in-law, Joseph M. Grube of Delancey, PA; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation. Arrangements are private and are entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney. Interment will be in Circle Hill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Phillips’ name to the First United Methodist Church or the Godot Animal Sanctuary.
Online condolences may be made to www.shumakerfh.com.
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