Obituary of Thomas D. Phillips

Thomas D. Phillips, 79, of Vowinckel, died early Sunday morning, November 17, 2013, at the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler. Born December 24, 1933 in Brookville, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Cherico Phillips. He married the former Barbara Ann Geyer on August 3, 1957 and she preceded him in death on September 12, 2009. Tom served with the United States Marine Corp from1955 - 1959. Tom retired as a union painter in the Butler area. He and his wife owned and operated The Vowinckel Hotel in Vowinckel for 24 years. He enjoyed playing the famous "Mr. Peanut". Tom was a member of St. Mary Church in Crown and a member of the St. Hubert Council of Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Vowinckel Hunting Club. Mr. Phillips is survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters: David Phillips of Butler; Joseph Phillips and his wife, Celeste of Butler; Melinda Bernardi and her husband, David of Turtlepoint and Melissa Kane of Coudersport. He is also survived by his companion, Donna Mensch of Marienville. In addition he is survived by 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by a son, Thomas V. Phillips; 7 sisters, Gertrude Mortimer, Jeanette Morgan, Josephine Zacccari, SallyWojtaszek, Frances McClellan, Mary Majetic and Nora Carpin; and 2 brothers, Joseph Phillips and James Phillips. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, November 19, from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 at the Borland Funeral Home, Inc. in Leeper. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 at the Geibel Funeral Home, Inc. in Butler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Meridian, PA with Rev. James Murphy, pastor of the church, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Butler County Memorial Park. The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Butler VNA Hospice or Clarion-Forest VNA.