Shirley Phillips

Shirley “Jean” Phillips, 86, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Miller’s Assisted Living in Dowagiac. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at ­1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with The Reverend Pamela V. Sten officiating. A private burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac on a later date. Friends may visit with the family from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.  Those wishing to sign Jean’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Jean was born on April 8, 1930 in Chicago, IL to Dr. Roy C. and Cherrill (Hollison) Suits. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1948. On August 28, 1948 she married Roger B. Phillips in Dowagiac. Jean was a former member of Eastern Star, Dowagiac Moose Lodge and Niles American Legion. She was also a member of the Queen of Country Club in Atlanta and Home Economics Club of Georgia. She won the Homemaker of the Year Award in 1966 and several ribbons at the Georgia State Fair for millinery.  Jean was very involved with the local Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and 4-H clubs. In her younger years, she enjoyed packing apples and planting tomatoes. Jean is survived by her children, Kevin Phillips of Fairburn, GA and Melody (Donald) Murray of Yabulu Townsville, Queensland, Australia; and eleven grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by husband, Roger; son, Christopher; and sister, Mary Lu Wahlstrom.            `