Hilda E. Phipps

Hilda Phipps, 86, of Howard, OH formally of St. Joseph, passed away December 30, 2009. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Ave., in Benton Harbor with Pastor J.O. Hosler officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 4, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., in St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Hilda was born November 3, 1923 in St. Joseph, MI to Paul & Bertha (Zupke) Witkoske. She graduated from St. Joseph High School. On January 11, 1944 she married Donald Phipps in St. Joseph. Hilda worked for Michigan Bell for over 30 years as a Telephone operator. Hilda is survived by her daughter Darlene (Dudley) Field of Howard, OH; son Michael (Kathy) Phipps of Stevensville, MI; three grandchildren Le Ray, Rosemary, and Tricia; seven great grandchildren Tony, Shawn, Georgina, Layne, Cody, Shelby, and Bailee; sister Carol Tober; and brother Herbert Witkoske. She was a past President of Pioneers of America, Michigan Bell Telephone, and Napier Parkview Baptist Church in Fairplain. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents and husband.