North Vernon
Bonnie Phillips, lifelong North Vernon resident, enjoyed travel and family.
Bonnie Phillips, 86, passed away on May 17, 2016, at Lutheran Community Home in Seymour, Indiana. Her family was at her side as she peacefully ended several years of progressively failing health.
She was born in North Vernon Oct. 12, 1930, to Clifford Little and Helen Yeager Little Reed. She grew up in the family house on Stockwell Street in North Vernon. After graduating from North Vernon High School in 1948 she started working at local establishments.
On Dec. 31, 1948, she was married to Edward Phillips and remained married to him until his death in 1991. The couple raised five children; Sheryl (Mike) Newkirk of Seymour, Linda Harris of Paris Crossing, Bonita (Clarence) Gordon of Cincinnati, Jerry (Monica) Phillips of Indianapolis and Tom (Annette) Phillips of Upland, California, all of which survive.
In addition to the children, Bonnie’s family includes twelve grandchildren; Scott Newkirk, Stephanie Vaughn, Lindsay Webb, Sean Webb, Nicki Harris, Matthew Gordon, Johnathan Gordon, Mark Gordon, Sarah Phillips, Benjamin Phillips, Andrea Phillips and Alyssa Phillips. Her four great-grandchildren are Chance Newkirk, Mackenzie Newkirk, Austin Vaughn and Mason Vaughn. All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive.
She has one surviving sister, Sharan Woodson of North Vernon; and two surviving sister’s-in-law of her husband’s family, Violet Phillips of North Vernon and Edith Phillips of Dayton, Ohio.
Brothers and sisters who preceded her in death are Clifford (Bud) Little, Maxine Burnett and John Little. Her father, mother and one son, Larry Edward Phillips, also preceded her in death.
While raising a family she worked at various local restaurants, Arvin Industries, ITT Thompson and Delta Faucet. She retired from Delta Faucet in 1992. Bonnie was a lifelong resident of North Vernon with the majority of her life spent at her home on Summit Street between 1953 – 2012.
Her life involved great memories of family weekend camping, driving vacations to over 40 states, travel to multiple national landmarks and spending time with her family. Bonnie always looked forward to family gatherings with all of the extended family.
She was involved with North Vernon Red Hat Society, North Vernon Senior Center and other local senior citizen groups during her retirement years in North Vernon. Her family have been long time attendees of the First Church of Nazarene in North Vernon.
A funeral service for Mrs. Phillips will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the First Church of the Nazarene in North Vernon with the Rev. Jim Terry officiating. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to either First Church of the Nazarene or Lutheran Community Home.
You are welcome to leave the family a message of condolence at www.dovesharprudicel.com.
