Patricia Ann Phillips of Springfield, MO passed away Friday morning, October 9, 2009. Patricia was a devout Christian all her life and felt her main purpose in life was to lead her family to know and love the Lord and to live a life that pleases Him. She was very focused in helping her children and grandchildren. She was born in Lockwood, Mo on August 21, 1928, the daughter of Charles and Estella Engelage. She was raised on her parents farm three miles west of Lockwood, along with her sister Joyce. The family was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lockwood, where she was baptized. She graduated from Lockwood High School in 1945 and attended Draughon's Business College in Springfield, MO after high school. She then worked for a period of time for Hermann-Brownlow in Springfield. She married Ralph R. Phillips in 1948 and they had four children. The family lived in Springfield until they moved to Nevada, MO in 1972. They moved back to Springfield in 1984. Her husband, Ralph, died in 1986, and she continued living in Springfield the rest of her life. She worked for J. C. Penny in Nevada and then in Springfield until she retired. She enjoyed singing with the Sweet Adelines and was a dedicated member of the Trailblazers Square Dance Club, giving much time and effort in supporting it. While living in Springfield she was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church until she joined the membership at Schweitzer United Methodist Church in 1987. While at Schweitzer she was active in choir, some office duties and various senior programs. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ralph R. Phillips. She is survived by her sister Joyce Haubein, Springfield MO, two sons Mark R. Phillips, Springfield MO and Michael R. Phillips, Ft. Lauderdale FL, two daughters Marsha E, Wilson and husband Gary, Kansas City MO, and Marina A. York and husband Brian, Springfield MO, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at Schweitzer United Methodist Church on Monday at 2:00 pm, with visitation at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Schweitzer Children's Ministry, 2747 E. Sunshine, 65804.
