Donald Phillips Jr.

NAME DONALD "DUTCH" PHILLIPS JR., age 66, of Kaneville, IL, passed away following a fierce battle with pancreatic cancer, Saturday, December 26, 2009 at his home surrounded by the love and prayers of his family. Dutch was a man of simple tastes with a smile always on his face who never let life’s problems get him down. BORN: He was born September 3, 1943 the son of Donald Sr. and Mary Helen (Klemm) Phillips in Aurora, IL. EARLY YEARS:Dutch spent most of his childhood in Kaneville, IL and attended local schools where he was a member of a quartet of singers called "Checkertones", whose attire included red and white checked ties. After he graduated from Kaneland High School in 1961 he returned to help his family business selling eggs near the corner of Harter and Main St. Rd. in Kaneville. MARRIAGE: Dutch met his wife during high school and though she stole his heart, she gave him hers in return. Dutch and Jane Schramer went to their first dance in 1960 and four years later were united in marriage on September 12, 1964 at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Virgil, IL. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together in an apartment building back in Kaneville until moving across the street in November of 1969 with their four year old daughter, Deanna, eighteen month old daughter Denise and twin boys, Keith and Kevin due in less than a week. They would make forty years of memories in the home he would eventually end his journey in, surrounded by the family he raised. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Dutch began working in the family egg business and also worked for a time at Zephyr Gas, a small gas station in Sugar Grove. He spent most of his years behind the wheel of a semi driving for G. Baker Express and later Blackhorse Carriers. MEMBERSHIPS: Dutch was a faithful member of St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn for many years. LIFE NOTES: Dutch’s first love was family but coming in a close second was gardening. His passion transformed a mere back yard to a lavish vegetable garden that fed passersby, the local food pantry, neighbors and in later years, boxes laden with his bounty were delivered to the hospital where he was receiving his cancer treatments. Dutch rooted for his home teams, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, with fervor on game days. He and Jane loved to travel but it was Dutch who was in charge of driving and that was that. Their destinations included locations across the country and always included back roads and scenic drives that increased the number of miles but also the memories. Dutch also had a passion for steam engines and took many scenic trips throughout the years. They also traveled four times to England with friends visiting many places by train. One dream of Dutch and Jane’s was to move to the forty acres they bought in Missouri. Although that dream was never realized, special pilgrimages were made by the family to see not only what could have been but to celebrate the wonderful blessings they already had. SURVIVORS: He now leaves his wife of forty-five years, Jane, Four children:Deanna (Phil) McCarney and their children Nicholas and Nolan, of Elburn, Denise (Mike) Thelander and their daughter Jordan, of Elburn, Keith (Julie) Phillips and their children Brandon and Katelyn of Batavia, and Kevin (Aimee Lave) Phillips and their children Cody, Cecily, and Courtney of Watertown, SD;Four siblings:Jerry "Cork" (Sue) Phillips, Patrick "Skip" (Mary Perry) Phillips, Rita (Larry) Schmitt and Marcy (Randy) Vanatta;Many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends who all will never forget his smile. PRECEDED:He now joins his parents and one niece Tiffany Vanatta who preceded him in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be at St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn from 4-9 p.m., with a Wake Service at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. A mass to celebrate his life and faith will be at 10:30 a.m. with a time of visitation to precede the mass from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church will officiate and interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Donald Phillips Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com where a complete life story is available.

Visitation will be at St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn from 4-9 p.m., with a Wake Service at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. A mass to celebrate his life and faith will be at 10:30 a.m. with a time of visitation to precede the mass from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009. Fr. Karl Ganss, pastor of the church will officiate.

Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery.