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Marvin "Shay" Phillips (2018)

HUSTED, HUTCHISON, PATTERSON, PHILLIPS, SYKES, TRONCHETTI

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:32

Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, October 21, 2018

Marvin "Shay" Phillips

Truro - Marvin "Shay" Phillips, 94, died peacefully at home October 13, 2018, with family by his side.

Shay was born in Truro, Iowa on July 12, 1924 to Elmer Clay Phillips and Mary Catherine Patterson Phillips. He was the youngest of five children, having two brothers, Richard and Robert, and two sisters, Cleona (who died as a toddler) and Amy Phillips Sykes.

Shay lived his entire life in Truro. A graduate of Truro High School, he was an accomplished basketball and baseball player. His nickname was given to him in high school purportedly because of an major league baseball player and it stayed with him for life.

Shay married Mary Ellen Husted on December 24, 1924. They celebrated 73 years of marriage on Christmas Eve 2017. Mary passed away on February 5, 2018.

Shay and Mary had three children: Steve (Connie) of West Des Moines, Iowa; Linda (Dean) Hutchison of Beaverton, Oregon; and Susan (Dan) Tronchetti of Paton, Iowa.

Shay was a farmer, living on a Century Farm that was part of the Husted family. His early years of farming were spent with his father-in-law, Miles Husted, from whom he and Mary purchased the farm in the early 1970's.

Shay was a committed and dedicated volunteer in many local and county groups. He served on the Interstate 35 Community School Board; was active in the Truro United Church of Christ; he and Mary were both leaders for Ohio Township 4-H clubs, and were Madison County 4-H Family of the year in 1964. He also served on the M & W Farm Service Board, the Madison County Fair Board, and was a member of the Truro Lions Club.

For decades, Shay and Mary enjoyed the company of a number of couples in the Truro as members of a bridge club, although their activities together encompassed far more than just bridge. Those couples retained fast friendships throughout their lives. A child of the only living member of that group, upon Shay's passing, described it well.

"We had wonderful parents and they had great friends. It was one happy family. We were like cousins and it was a great time to grow up."

After retiring, Shay and Mary traveled for many years in a motor home. Just as they had many Truro friends, they formed lasting friendships with fellow travelers. One group who returned annually to Texas dubbed themselves The Lajitas Mafia. Many in that group met for a reunion on Shay and Mary's farm in 2003.

Shay and Mary were able to remain together in their home. Over the decades many family gatherings took place on the Century Farm that they so loved.

Shay is survived by his three children, two sons-in-law, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

A Celebration of Life is planned but not yet scheduled. Both Shay and Mary donated their bodies to scientific research through Science Care.

Memorials may be sent to the family (PO Box 94, Truro, IA 50257) to be used to restore the stained glass windows for the Truro United Church of Christ. Shortly before his death, Shay met with church leaders to give a generous pledge to start the restoration fund.

Shay was well-loved by his family and community and will be missed.

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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