Phillips, Donald J. 1909-1984

PHILLIPS, RHODES, RICE, KEUP, STARNES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/13/2010 at 08:07:51

The Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Dec. 10, 1984

DONALD PHILLIPS SERVICES TODAY

Donald J. Phillips, 75, of 1120 Prairie St., Grinnell, died Friday afternoon, Dec. 7, at Grinnell General Hospital. He had been in failing health the past six months.

Masonic fraternal rites were conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home, with Clark Watkins officiating.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Daniel I. Ogata, pastor of the Grinnell First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Donald J. Phillips Memorial Fund and left at the funeral home.

The son of James Paul and Frances Louise Rhodes Phillips, he was born Oct. 6, 1909, at What Cheer. He spent most of his youth with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Rhodes, at Delta and attended school there.

On Dec. 12, 1933, he was married to Margaret Elizabeth Rice in Des Moines. The couple lived in Des Moines for nine years while Mr. Phillips worked as a baker. They came to Grinnell in 1942 and he began his long association with Grinnell College Food Service, retiring in 1974.

He was a past master of Hermon Masonic Lodge No. 273, past high priest of Royal Arch Masons and past worthy patron of Beulah Chapter No. 47 of the Order of Eastern Star, all in Grinnell, and the Oriental Commandry No. 22, Knights Templar, and Malachi Council No. 55, Royal and Select Masons, both of Newton. He was also active in Boy Scouting in Grinnell, having been associated with Troop 313.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; his son, Paul I. Phillips of Grinnell; his daughter, Donna E. Keup of Danville, Ill.; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Ida Starnes of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.