Evelyn Ilene Phillips, age 71, of Mendon died Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mendon on Dec. 2, 1941 the daughter of James Edward and Zelma (Halsey) McClish and was a lifetime resident of the Mendon area. After attending Mendon Schools, Evelyn was married to James Leroy Phillips on May 23, 1959. She was a homemaker who also worked at Denton Mills in Centreville and Vangard Industries in Colon. She enjoyed visiting the casinos, and she especially enjoyed shopping for her grandchildren.
Evelyn is survived by her mother, Zelma Bickle of Mendon; three children, Judy McCoy of Mendon, Brenda (Clarence) Stephenson of Three Rivers, and James (Barbara) Phillips of Mendon; nine grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly Kline of Leonidas and Cindy Nelson of Union City; three brothers, Earl (Julie) McClish, Mike McClish, and Randy McClish all of Mendon; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward McClish; her husband, James Phillips; her brother, James McClish, Jr.; and son in law, Marvin Anglemyer.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday Feb. 16, 2013 at the funeral home followed by burial in Mendon Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com