Constance Connie Phillips

Constance ‘Connie’ Phillips, 76, of Eau Claire, MI passed away Friday, April 05, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph with Pastor Jack Nordgren officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Memorials may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory of Connie may do so online at www.starks-menchiner.com. Connie was born January 11, 1937 in Benton Harbor, MI to Leopold & Alvina (Wagner) Kelm. On April 7, 1976 she married the love of her life, Charles Phillips in Ottawa, IL. She owned and operated The Quilting Den of Eau Claire, MI and ran this business out of her home for over 15 years. Connie loved quilting and was very generous with her quilts. She donated many of them to Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan, MI where her husband received care. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She is survived by her children Diana (Michael) Cotter of Bridgman, Dennis Ashley of Stevensville, Stephen Ashley of Bridgman, and Brian (Tammy) Ashley of St. Joseph; grandchildren Joel, Billy, Timothy, Sara Beth, Ashley, Chad, Adam and Alec; one great grand daughter Elizabeth, and her brother Leroy (Marion) Kelm of St. Joseph, MI. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 37 years Charles on September 18, 2012 and her brother Richard Kelm.