Visitation
Monday, February 19, 2018
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions
Service
Monday, February 19, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site
Loaves & Fishes
901 Portage Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 343-3663
Juvenile Diabetes
4595 Broadmoor Avenue SE Suite 230
Kentwood, MI 49512
(606) 957-1838
Boy Scouts of America
PO Box 152079
Irving, TN 75015-2079
(972) 580-2000
Flowers
Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.
Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site
Polderman's Florist & Garden Center
8710 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 327-3656
Driving Directions
Life Story / Obituary
With a journey that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Glen Phillips lived life to the fullest each day. He was a hardworking man, and as a longtime resident of the community he loved, he made an impact in the lives of so many who were near. Glen was a loving and devoted family man, and he was filled with such joy to witness his family tree bloom to include numerous branches of loved ones who made him so very proud. Life be forever changed without Glen here, but he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.
It was exciting to be an American during the decade that we commonly known as the Roaring Twenties. Ballroom dancing, jazz music, and motion pictures in both color and sound were all signs of the time while Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball America’s favorite pastime. These were primarily prosperous times, and most Americans enjoyed their daily lives. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1926 when Frank and Clarissa (Schmitt) Phillips were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as November dawned in Dowagiac, Michigan. Their wait was finally over on November 20th when the baby boy they named Glen made his arrival. As the middle of seven children, he was a typical young boy of his generation. Glen was a student at local schools and attended Kalamazoo Central High School in 1947
From there, Glen was eager for all that life had in store, so in January of 1944, at the age of 17, he joined the Michigan State Troopers. Six months later he would transfer to the United States Army and between June of 1945 and August of 1946 Glen attended the Naval Personnel Service School and worked at the Naval Training Station in Norfolk VA. Glen served in the United States Navy from 1945 until 1951.
During this time Glen was able to attended Western Michigan College where he earned his bachelors in Arts and Electricity History. He attended Western Michigan University where he majored in Industrial Education and Supervision and minored in Electricity and History. He later graduated in 1962 with an MS degree in graduate studies.
Not to be forgotten during his years as a young man was Glen’s introduction to the woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Barb Shively, and it wasn't long after meeting that the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Glen and Barb were married. Together they welcomed three children including Sheril, Gale, and Susan into their hearts and home. To support his family, Glen worked as a shop teacher for both Hopkins and Vicksburg schools during the 1950s. He later worked at KVP Sutherland Paper. In 1985, he was deeply saddened with Barb’s death in 1985.
Throughout his life Glen was a man of many interests. He was an outdoor lover who enjoyed sail boating, camping, hunting, and fishing. An active part of his community, Glen was a Boy Scout leader and also a 4-H leader. Glen enjoyed gardening, building, handicrafts, and radio. He was a true jack of all trades who was amazingly resourceful.
Brighter days were on the horizon for Glen after some time had passed since Barb’s death. He called Connie and started to bring food over, and the rest is history as they say. A relationship bloomed, and in 1987 they were married.
All who knew Glen Phillips would agree that he was such a special person. He was social and outgoing with a heart that loved to help others in ways both great and small. The eternal optimist, Glen could find the positive side in anything that came his way. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.
Glen Phillips, of Vicksburg, passed away peacefully at home on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2018. Glen’s family includes his wife, Connie (Kuivenhoven-Kreider) Phillips; brother, Max (Stella) Ball; three children: Sheri (Jerry) VanAvery; Gale (Cindy) Phillips; Sue (Frank) Roberts; four stepchildren: Terry Kreider; Karen (Bill) Kreider-Sorensen; Deborah Spencer; Kay (Mark Bissot) Kreider; nine grandchildren: Ben (Regina) VanAvery; Chris (Erika) VanAvery; Michelle Decker; August (Tracy) Roberts; Ted (Devon) Roberts; two step grandchildren: Kari (Henry) Walters; Thomas (Alisha) Mendham; 12 great-grandchildren: Zane, Caden, David, and Nathan VanAvery; Tristin, Tehya, and Jackson Decker; Hunter, Leeland, Harliegh, Amelia, and Gregory Roberts, and six step great-grandchildren: Baylen, Henry, and Virginia Walters; Owen, Lena and Jade Mendham,; and many extended families. Glen was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Clarissa (Schmitt) Phillips; wife, Barb; a brother, four sisters and a grandson-in-law, BJ Decker. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 12 noon at Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service starting at 11a.m. Burial Mount Ever-Rest. Please visit Glen’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a memory. Those who wish may make contributions to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, Loaves and Fishes, Boy Scouts of America, and/or the Juvenile Diabetes.