Official Obituary of
Francis William Phillips
December 5, 1922 ~ January 28, 2012 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Francis Phillips Obituary
Francis William Phillips, 89, of Monticello, passed away at 1:05 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
Francis was born December 5, 1922 in Portage des Sioux, Missouri to William C. and Amanda Oyler Phillips. He married Alice L. Miller on February 21, 1942. She preceded him in death on August 28, 2011. Surviving are their three children: Joy Rathe of Monticello, Illinois; Ken (Wendy) Phillips of OFallon, Illinois; and Julie (Dennis) Quimby of Hopewell, Illinois and one sister, Jean (Chuck) Clinard of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Also surviving are six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.
Francis attended the U of I for a year in 1941-42 and then transferred to the U of I (Chicago) Pharmacy School from 1942-43. His education was interrupted when WWII broke out and Francis enlisted in the Navy.
After his discharge in Dec. 1945, he and Alice returned to the Monticello area. He began operating the Bement Frozen Food Locker Plant and in 1946, they moved to Bement where they led a very active community and church life. As a member of the Bement Presbyterian Church, he served as Elder and Clerk of Session. He also found time to be a member of the Bement Lions Club, American Legion, and the Bement Centennial Committee. In 1955, he compiled and edited the Bement Centennial book, The Bement Story.
Upon moving to Monticello in the summer of 1958, they transferred their membership to the Monticello Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Clerk of Session, Finance Committee Chairman, and Chairman of the Pastoral Committee. While running the Locker Plant in Bement, he held several 2nd jobs including setting the type and printing the sides of the Country Charm Dairy milk cartons.
In 1964, he began working for Keith Hutson at Americana Healthcare Centers as Director of Insurance and Administrative Services.
In 1972 while still working at Americana, he assisted Alice in developing a very successful Shaklee business where they attained the rank of Coordinator and received 9 bonus cars.
After Americana was sold in 1982, Francis went to work at J.D. Johnson & Son Insurance Agency in Decatur. He was manager of the group insurance claim department for the next 8 years before retiring in 1990 at the age of 68.
Francis and Alice enjoyed their home on Circle Drive for 51 years until they moved to Tatman Village in September 2009.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on, Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, 215 E. Washington St., Monticello. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Bauler officiating. Burial will be in the Monticello Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Tatman Village or a Charity of the donors choice.
Francis was born December 5, 1922 in Portage des Sioux, Missouri to William C. and Amanda Oyler Phillips. He married Alice L. Miller on February 21, 1942. She preceded him in death on August 28, 2011. Surviving are their three children: Joy Rathe of Monticello, Illinois; Ken (Wendy) Phillips of OFallon, Illinois; and Julie (Dennis) Quimby of Hopewell, Illinois and one sister, Jean (Chuck) Clinard of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Also surviving are six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.
Francis attended the U of I for a year in 1941-42 and then transferred to the U of I (Chicago) Pharmacy School from 1942-43. His education was interrupted when WWII broke out and Francis enlisted in the Navy.
After his discharge in Dec. 1945, he and Alice returned to the Monticello area. He began operating the Bement Frozen Food Locker Plant and in 1946, they moved to Bement where they led a very active community and church life. As a member of the Bement Presbyterian Church, he served as Elder and Clerk of Session. He also found time to be a member of the Bement Lions Club, American Legion, and the Bement Centennial Committee. In 1955, he compiled and edited the Bement Centennial book, The Bement Story.
Upon moving to Monticello in the summer of 1958, they transferred their membership to the Monticello Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Clerk of Session, Finance Committee Chairman, and Chairman of the Pastoral Committee. While running the Locker Plant in Bement, he held several 2nd jobs including setting the type and printing the sides of the Country Charm Dairy milk cartons.
In 1964, he began working for Keith Hutson at Americana Healthcare Centers as Director of Insurance and Administrative Services.
In 1972 while still working at Americana, he assisted Alice in developing a very successful Shaklee business where they attained the rank of Coordinator and received 9 bonus cars.
After Americana was sold in 1982, Francis went to work at J.D. Johnson & Son Insurance Agency in Decatur. He was manager of the group insurance claim department for the next 8 years before retiring in 1990 at the age of 68.
Francis and Alice enjoyed their home on Circle Drive for 51 years until they moved to Tatman Village in September 2009.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on, Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, 215 E. Washington St., Monticello. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Bauler officiating. Burial will be in the Monticello Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Tatman Village or a Charity of the donors choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis William Phillips, please visit our floral store.
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Francis William Phillips
© 2026 Owens Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility