Date of Birth
Jan 14,1920
Date of Death
Oct 20,2004
Mary Helen PhillipsAge 84, passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning, October 20, 2004 at Bethany Healthcare Center, DeKalb., IL, where she had recently been under the care of DeKalb County Hospice. Surrounded by the loving support of her family, Mary Helen met the challenges of cancer with faith and courage. BORN …MARRIAGE: She was born January 14, 1920 on the family farm on Hinckley Road, the daughter of Edward and M. Lauretta (O’Shea) Klemm. She grew up in the Maple Park area where she later married Donald Phillips, Sr., on November 25, 1942. EMPLOYMENT: For many years, Mary Helen worked in their family business, DW Phillips Eggs, Kaneville. Like most family businesses, it was hard work but it provided a living for their family of five, not to mention, many "life-lessons" in discipline and determination. In later years, Mary Helen worked as a waitress at the Kountry Kettle Restaurant in Elburn. It was a job that kept her in touch with many old friends while making new ones as well. LIFE NOTES: The focus of Mary Helen’s entire life was faith and family. She was a member of St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn and raised her children with the faith and values that were the foundation of her own life. SURVIVORS : She is survived by five children:Donald "Dutch" (Jane) Phillips, Jr. of Kaneville, ILJerry "cork" (Sue) Phillips of Sycamore, IL,Patrick "Skip" Phillips of Tomahawk, WI,Rita (Larry) Schmitt of Elburn andMarcy (Randy) Vanatta of Spring Valley, MN;Twelve grandchildren:Deanna (Philip) McCarneyDenise (Michael) ThelanderKeith (Julie) Phillips,Kevin PhillipsShelley (Thomas) BowerJamie (Nichole) PhillipsClint (Michele) PhillipsShannon (George) WeaverTara PhillipsMandy (Donald) FrickHeather (Greg) Carey andBridget (Derrick) Sanford.Twenty-two great-grandchildrenOne sister, Bernice Klemm Several nieces and nephews and a community of good friends.PRECEDEDShe joins now her parents, her husband, Donald, one granddaughter, Tiffany Vanatta, one great-granddaughter, Rita Catherine Carey and one brother, John Klemm who preceded her in death. MEMORIAL Memorials in her memory may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. They will be used to benefit the work of the DeKalb County Hospice. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through www.conleycare.com. For information, call Conley Funeral Home at 1-800-8-CONLEY or visit our website.
Her visitation will be held, Friday, October 22, from 4-8pm with a rosary prayer service at 4:30 pm and a wake service at 8pm at the funeral home 116 W. Pierce,Elburn. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday morning, October 23 at 11am at St. Gall Church, Shannon & Main Streets, Elburn. The Rev. Fr. Karl Ganss will officiate.
Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.