Catherine Doris Phairas

Catherine “Cathy” Doris Phairas, 88, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois.    A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma.  Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sunnymere Senior Community Living in Aurora, Illinois, where Catherine most recently resided.  Those wishing to sign Catherine’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Catherine was born April 29, 1927 in Benton Harbor to Louis & Bertha (Martin) Rutz, Sr., and remained here her entire life.  She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in the class of 1945, and for several years worked for Griffendorf Company & Benton Harbor Malleable.  On January 13, 1951 she married Herbert L. Phairas in Benton Harbor, and served as the bookkeeper for the family business-Phairas Heating & Air Conditioning in Benton Harbor.  Catherine always supported the Disabled American Veterans and received the Commander’s Gold Award.  She enjoyed reading-especially mystery novels, vintage movies, completing complex jigsaw puzzles-many which she then framed as portraits, and in her younger years enjoyed archery hunting, fishing, camping and just being outdoors.  She and Herb were fond of and used Jeeps and other four-wheel drive vehicles before they were popular.  Catherine was fascinated with and had a love of elephants.    Catherine is survived by her son-Retired Army Major Ted C. (Sharon) Phairas of Plainfield, IL; three grandchildren-Karen (Jared) Brodbeck, Jason (Natasha) Phairas, & Daniel Phairas; two great-grandchildren-James & Jacob Brodbeck; and numerous nieces & nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert on December 19, 1992, her parents, and seven siblings-Earl, Carl, Arnold, Harold & Louis “Ted” Rutz, Jr., Ila Ott & Evelyn Monte.