Obituary for Stephen D. Phillips
Homestead- Stephen D. Phillips, age 70, of Homestead, Wis., passed away Monday, November 11, 2019, at his home.
He was born April 9, 1949, in Detroit, Mich., son of the late Jack and Millie (Daley) Phillips. Steve graduated from Appleton West High School in 1967. He went on to proudly serve in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. On August 24, 1975, he married Patrice “Patti” Westfall in Marshfield, Wis. They resided in Kingsford, Mich. for a few years before moving to the countryside in Homestead.
Everyone who knew Steve knew how much he loved everything to do with airplanes whether it was building or flying them. His high school graduation gift was flight training. Later on he graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics where he became a licensed airplane mechanic. He was also one of the founding members, and longest flying pilot, of Northwoods Air Lifeline. He loved going to the EAA Oshkosh airshows and was also a member of EAA Chapter 439 where he would proudly give smiling kids rides during the Young Eagle days.
Steve was also known for his large heart. He smiled, laughed, and enjoyed the company of others. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, talking and driving cars, and visiting and having fun with his grandkids.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Patti Phillips, Homestead, Wis.; two sons, Christopher Phillips, Finland and Nicholas (Jessica) Phillips, Liberty, Missouri ; five very special grandchildren whom he cherished greatly, Liam, Max, Jake, Elliot, and Piper; a brother-in-law, Greg (Karen) Westfall, Plymouth, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Deborah Johnson, South Carolina; and a special cousin, Marilyn (Tim) Staehle, Northern Washington. Because Steve was an only child, his close friends were more like brothers, Daryl (Samia) Staehle, Northern Washington, Tom (Beth) Sullivan, Iron Mountain, Mich., Clyde (Dianne) Olive, Florence, Wis., and Mike (Christine) Donnick, Lakewood, Wis.; as well as many others.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. Funeral services will be Saturday, 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Pastor Larry Neargarth will officiate. Military graveside services will be accorded in the spring.
Memorials in Steve’s memory may be made to Northwoods Air Lifeline.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Steve’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Steve’s legacy of life.
He was born April 9, 1949, in Detroit, Mich., son of the late Jack and Millie (Daley) Phillips. Steve graduated from Appleton West High School in 1967. He went on to proudly serve in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. On August 24, 1975, he married Patrice “Patti” Westfall in Marshfield, Wis. They resided in Kingsford, Mich. for a few years before moving to the countryside in Homestead.
Everyone who knew Steve knew how much he loved everything to do with airplanes whether it was building or flying them. His high school graduation gift was flight training. Later on he graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics where he became a licensed airplane mechanic. He was also one of the founding members, and longest flying pilot, of Northwoods Air Lifeline. He loved going to the EAA Oshkosh airshows and was also a member of EAA Chapter 439 where he would proudly give smiling kids rides during the Young Eagle days.
Steve was also known for his large heart. He smiled, laughed, and enjoyed the company of others. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, talking and driving cars, and visiting and having fun with his grandkids.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Patti Phillips, Homestead, Wis.; two sons, Christopher Phillips, Finland and Nicholas (Jessica) Phillips, Liberty, Missouri ; five very special grandchildren whom he cherished greatly, Liam, Max, Jake, Elliot, and Piper; a brother-in-law, Greg (Karen) Westfall, Plymouth, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Deborah Johnson, South Carolina; and a special cousin, Marilyn (Tim) Staehle, Northern Washington. Because Steve was an only child, his close friends were more like brothers, Daryl (Samia) Staehle, Northern Washington, Tom (Beth) Sullivan, Iron Mountain, Mich., Clyde (Dianne) Olive, Florence, Wis., and Mike (Christine) Donnick, Lakewood, Wis.; as well as many others.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. Funeral services will be Saturday, 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Pastor Larry Neargarth will officiate. Military graveside services will be accorded in the spring.
Memorials in Steve’s memory may be made to Northwoods Air Lifeline.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Steve’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Steve’s legacy of life.