Howard L. Phillips

PHILLIPS, Howard L., of Vandalia died Monday, November 19, 2012. Howard was born on October 6, 1919 in Nova, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Addison Phillips, brother, Robert Phillips, sister, Mildred Bartley, granddaughter, Elizabeth Snyder and his first wife, Ila (Andrews) Phillips. He is survived by his brother, Addison Phillips of Nova, his daughter, Diane Lileas and husband, Thomas of Tipp City, grandson, Adam Lileas of Beavercreek, his second wife, Betty (Brock) Phillips of Vandalia, and sister-in-law, Flo Phillips. Howard is also survived by his nieces, Tracy Estep of Nova, Marilyn Herpel of Nova, Penny Mapes of Mt. Vernon and nephews, Scott, Steve and Robert Bartley of California. Survivors also include step-children, Judith Lantz of Troy, Ohio, James Brock of Lancaster, Ohio, and Bonnie Miller of Burlington, MA; step-grandchildren, Kristin, Jennifer, Melinda, Charles, Andrew and step-great-grandchildren, Amanda, Logan, Owen and Athen. Howard graduated from Ashland College in Ashland, Ohio and received his Masters Degree from Kent State University in Kent Ohio. He taught in the Nova, Phillipsburg, and Vandalia-Butler school systems. He served as Assistant Principal at Butler High School and Assistant Superintendent of the Vandalia-Butler School System. He was a member of the Ohio National Guard for 27 years and was commissioned as Ensign at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1942. He served proudly in World War II on the destroyer TREVER in numerous battles in the Pacific, ending as a commander. While serving, he earned eight battle stars. For several years, Howard was an active member of the Vandalia Recreation Center and the Vandalia Senior Center. He was also a member of many school organizations and from 1946 to 1965 was in the Naval Reserve Program retiring with the rank of commander. He was a member of the Sullivan Lodge 313 and was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton. Howard possessed an outstanding wit and sense of humor and was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his extended family. Also, he was a sincere supporter of the Vandalia-Butler Athletic Program. Among his many interests, he was an avid golfer, a lover of music, a world traveler, a pilot of small planes and a generous friend. Friends will be welcomed at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia on Friday, November 23 from 5-8 pm. The funeral will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 10:30 am, with Rev. Thomas Weeks officiating. Burial at Poplar Hill Cemetery in Vandalia. Donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton in Howards memory.