Obituaries

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday February 26, 2008, at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. John Harpel officiating. Con-celebrating the mass with be Rev. James Secora and Rev. David Beckman. Ann Bennett will be the organist accompanying Chris Carrier as cantor and the Holy Family Resurrection Choir. While the casket is being carried to the church Chris Carrier will sing "The Old Rugged Cross".  The pall will be placed by Randy Phillips and Nancy Post.  Lector for the service will be Randy Phillips.  Presenting the offertory gifts will be Wendy Cronk, Hannah Culbertson, Amy Hansen and Julia Schilling.  

Military interment honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #714, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gilbertville, Iowa. Pallbearers are Zachary Phillips, Jason Phillips, Cory Phillips, Carver Allen, Wyatt Phillips, Kyle Fencl, Jerad Moody, Ryan Roths and Eddie Phillips.

Visitation will be held 3- 8 p.m. Monday at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton with Rosary at 4:00 and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  

Roger was born June 3, 1920, in Gilbertville, IA, the son of John R. and Margaret M. (Schommer) Phillips Sr. He received his education in Gilbertville. He was inducted into the United States Army on December 2, 1941, and served in the 17th Infantry Regiment.  He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1945. 

Roger was united in marriage to Josephine Lorang on September 1, 1942, while stationed in California. To this union fifteen children were born. The couple initially lived in Gilbertville and Roger worked as service manager for Schukei Chevrolet in Waterloo until the couple moved to New Hampton in 1971. Roger then owned and operated Northeast Iowa Development which was responsible for building many homes in New Hampton. He semi-retired in 1980 and stayed busy with many projects including working for his son Scott in his business. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and time with his ever growing family.

Roger is survived by six sons, Randy (Shirl) Phillips of Gilbertville, Rick (Linda) Phillips of Cedar Falls, Steven (Michele) Phillips of Milwaukee, Kevin (Linda) Phillips of Lexington, KY, Tim (Terry) Phillips, Scott (Lori) Phillips all of Ionia; seven daughters, Kathy (Ross) Phillips-Schilling of Kewanee, WI, Patty (Mike) Jump of Stewartville, MN, Debra (Darwin) Allen of Ionia, Gail (Ken) Fencl of Protivin, Ruth (Larry) Roths of New Hampton, Ronda (Tim) Moody of Marion and Nancy (Paul) Post of Germany; 36 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren;  four sisters, Theresa Klein, Marjorie Rueter, Dorothy Fischels and Mary Hames all of Gilbertville; and 3 sisters-in-law, Mary Phillips of Gilbertville, Ida Phillips of Raymond, IA, Yvonne Phillips of Cedar Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Josephine on June 22, 2007; a daughter, Mary Jo Phillips in 1967; and a son, Mark Phillips in 1974; seven brothers, Andrew, Leo, James, George, Gerald, John Jr., and Joseph Phillips; and one sister, Magdalen Kurtenbach.