Marian Ellis Phillips

Marian E. Phillips, 83, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00 PM, Thursday, December 22, 2016 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd, Stevensville, MI. Burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Marian’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marian was born February 9, 1933 in Benton Harbor, MI to Ralph & Mary (Court) Priebe. She was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 1949. Marian married Eugene Phillips on November 9, 1954 in Marion, IN. She ended her career as a bookkeeper for Royal Crown Cola in Benton Harbor, then she went on to work out of her home as a bookkeeper for several tool and die shops. Marian was a hard worker and proud of the fact that she was a working woman. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for 16 years, previous to that she was a member at Grace Lutheran Church where she also taught Sunday School for many years. Marian enjoyed cooking, sewing and spending time with her family. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Jerry) Litke of Stevensville, William “Bill” Phillips of Niles and Gary (Susan Gano) Phillips of Davison, MI; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Adeline Pursell of Las Vegas, NV and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Eugene Phillips on January 1, 2000; sisters, Eleanor Barber and Genevieve Vandenburg; brothers, Earl Priebe, Kenneth Priebe and William Priebe.