1922
Merle
2010
Merle Phillips
October 30, 1922 — June 30, 2010
Merle Phillips, 87, Fergus Falls, and formerly of Wendell, died Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls.
Merle was born on October 30, 1922, on a farm in Stony Brook Township west of Wendell to James and Florence (Lindsey) Phillips. During Merle's early years, the family also lived in Gorton and Delaware Townships. Merle attended country school and was the only graduate of his 8th grade class. In 1936, the family moved to the farm north of Wendell. Besides working on the home farm, he helped various farmers in the area and did custom baling for neighbors. He was united in marriage to Nellie Fowler at Estherville, Iowa, on September 2, 1954.
He served on several boards including the Lawrence Church board, FMHA board, Grant County ASC, Wendell Elevator and Creamery, and was clerk of the Stony Brook Township board for 30 years. He was a former member of the Wendell Rifle Club. In the winter, he drove county snow plow for several years. He also worked at the Thiel Seed plant, which he helped build. Following retirement from farming, Merle drove tractor in the spring and fall for Darius Thiel until his health started failing.
Merle was an avid deer hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping and going on tours. In 2007, his health forced the move to Fergus Falls.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Marcia, his parents, three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Nellie of Fergus Falls; son Mark (Dea) Phillips and grandsons Michael and Brent of Prior Lake; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral: 2:00 pm Saturday, July 3, 2010, Lawrence Presbyterian Church, rural Wendell
Clergy: Rev. Tom Gard and Steve Walswick
Cemetery: Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery
Visitation: 5-7:30pm on Friday at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake and resume at the church on Saturday one hour before the service.
Merle was born on October 30, 1922, on a farm in Stony Brook Township west of Wendell to James and Florence (Lindsey) Phillips. During Merle's early years, the family also lived in Gorton and Delaware Townships. Merle attended country school and was the only graduate of his 8th grade class. In 1936, the family moved to the farm north of Wendell. Besides working on the home farm, he helped various farmers in the area and did custom baling for neighbors. He was united in marriage to Nellie Fowler at Estherville, Iowa, on September 2, 1954.
He served on several boards including the Lawrence Church board, FMHA board, Grant County ASC, Wendell Elevator and Creamery, and was clerk of the Stony Brook Township board for 30 years. He was a former member of the Wendell Rifle Club. In the winter, he drove county snow plow for several years. He also worked at the Thiel Seed plant, which he helped build. Following retirement from farming, Merle drove tractor in the spring and fall for Darius Thiel until his health started failing.
Merle was an avid deer hunter and fisherman and enjoyed camping and going on tours. In 2007, his health forced the move to Fergus Falls.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Marcia, his parents, three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife Nellie of Fergus Falls; son Mark (Dea) Phillips and grandsons Michael and Brent of Prior Lake; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral: 2:00 pm Saturday, July 3, 2010, Lawrence Presbyterian Church, rural Wendell
Clergy: Rev. Tom Gard and Steve Walswick
Cemetery: Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery
Visitation: 5-7:30pm on Friday at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake and resume at the church on Saturday one hour before the service.
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