Willa Dean ‘Deannie’ Phillips
Willa Dean ‘Deannie’ Phillips, 76, of Bristol, Ind., passed away Wednesday morning, Sept. 12, 2013, at Eastlake Nursing Home.
She was born Oct. 8, 1936, in Bell Hill, Ky., to Corbet and Lucy (Spradlin) Gregory. On May 18, 1956, she married Robert P. Phillips in Angola, Ind.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter: Robin Lee (Randy) Schwietert, Edwardsburg, Mich.; son: Robert E. Phillips, White Pigeon, Mich.; five grandchildren; a sister: Virginia (Johnny) Rushing, Elkhart, Ind.; and four brothers: James Ray (Carol) Smith, Syracuse, Ind.; Bronnie Lee ‘Bill’ Smith, Liberty, Ky.; Carl (Lillian) Smith of Detroit, Mich.; and Rex Allen (Noreen) Smith, of Dafter, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson: Danell R. Stonewall; and a sister: Rachel Slaven.
Mrs. Phillips worked at the former Johnson Controls as an assembler for 35 years. She also worked five years at Polytron in Elkhart, before retiring in 1996.
Deannie was an active member at Bristol Nazarene Church, where she taught Sunday school, junior church, and bible school classes. She was known for providing refreshments during vacation bible school in the summer. She was often a soloist for church services, sharing her gifts when she could. A favorite hobby for her was feeding and watching wild birds.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at the funeral home. Pastor Gary Sheets will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery, Bristol, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Bristol Nazarene Church.