LONNIE LEON PHILLIPS of the Mackeyville Community in Hambleton, WV, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at Mountaintop Health Center while holding his “little sweethearts” hand.
They were married fifty-five years. This Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, “PopPop” and Friend was 80 years old (although he often claimed he was going on 39). He was born in Mackeyville on April 9, 1937 to the late Sylvester G. and Buena V. Pennington Phillips. On July 15, 1962, he married the love of his life, Mary Lee Dumire, in Oakland, MD, who survives. Together they built a home and raised five daughters.
Preceding him in death were three brothers, Leroy L. of Tionesta, PA, Leonard L. and Lester L., who both died in infancy; one sister, Lorene L. Arnold of Mackeyville; two daughters, Sherry L. and Mary Lynn, both of Mackeyville.
He is survived by three daughters, Lora A. (and Bud) Evans, Vera V. Moran, and Paulita L. (and Jake) Cousin, all of Mackeyville; one sister, Lela L. (and Paul) Sponaugle of River Bend Estates. He had fourteen grandchildren, Shauna, Scottie, Krista, Amie, Heather, Melissa, Nicoda, Caila, Lonnie, Amanda, Derrick, Brandon, Jakob and Chrissy. He was also blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren, Seth, Olivia, Winter, Leland, Cloe, Kelsey, Riley, Ashlynn, Kosi, William, Darrius, Dailyn, Aubree, Toby, Zaylee, Jozlynn and Carlie. In addition to various nephews and nieces.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. The true patriarch of his family. Lonnie was employed at an early age at the Parsons Tannery and he helped build the Olson Tower. He joined the Air Force and worked as a reciprocating airline engine mechanic. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Later, he enjoyed racing cars and boxing while stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He was later employed at Dorman Mills, Kingsford, and then a shift foreman at Laurel Run Mining Company for seventeen years.
His stories, his style, his love, his smile will be missed. He was the Hub, inspiration, role model, and the anchor of his entire family. Due to the kind of man he was, he had a special bond with his grandchildren and his son-in-laws. He held a special father-son relationship with the late Dorsey R. Williams, Jr, as well as Scottie Williams, and Lonnie M. Phillips. He was a good man.
A small private gathering will be held at his home for his wife, children, and siblings.
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons, WV on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 10 until 12 Noon, the funeral hour. Pastor Pat Cassidy officiated, and interment followed at the Goff Cemetery at Hambleton, WV, where the Air Force Honor Guard, H.W. Daniels Post #29 American Legion, the Tygart Valley Post #3647 Veterans of Foreign War and the Tucker County Veterans Association conducted full military honors. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for LONNIE LEON PHILLIPS. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com
