Karen Phillips

Karen Mildred (Geer) Phillips, 83, of Rushville, Illinois, died at 10:07 a.m., April 15, 2022, at Bickford Senior Living in Macomb, Illinois.  She was born on June 26, 1938, in Bainbridge Township in Schuyler County, Illinois to Clyde Franklin Geer and Leona Mae (McConahay) Geer.  She married Donald Lee Phillips on June 14, 1958, at the Rushville Christian Church, and later became a member of First United Methodist Church of Rushville.

Karen attended various one room schools in Schuyler County and graduated from Rushville High School in 1956.  She earned an Associates Degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.  She worked in accounting at Schuyler/Brown FS before becoming a full-time mother and farmer.  In addition to farming corn and soybeans with her husband, they raised hogs and cattle for many years.  They received the Farm Family of the Year Award by the Schuyler County Farm Bureau in 1988.

Karen made sure her children had a Christian upbringing and valued education.  She loved music and could play by ear as well as read music.  She was a talented seamstress, assisted with the Schuyler Specials 4-H Club, and enjoyed women’s Bible study groups.

Surviving is her daughter, Le Ann (Robert) White; a son, Timmy Scott (Vicki) Phillips; four grandchildren: Brian Littleton, Sarah Littleton, Whitney (Derrek) Miller, and Mallory (David) Henton; four great grandchildren:  Jade Vanatta, Hannah Henton, Rachel Henton, and Laura Miller; and a brother, Larry (Donna) Geer.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 62 years, Don.

Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Rushville on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of Karen’s life at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Stacy Tomich officiating.  Interment will follow immediately at Rushville City Cemetery.

Memorials have been suggested for First United Methodist Church of Rushville.

Family and friends are invited to share stories and leave condolences at www.triplettfuneralhomes.com.

Triplett & Wood Funeral Home of Rushville is assisting the family with arrangements.