G. Kent Phillips, 92 of Palestine, IL, died at 5:04 p.m. (e.s.t.) Saturday, December 17, 2005 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born December 15, 1913 in Memphis, TN, the son of Clarence M. Phillips and Ruth Patton Phillips.
Kent attended elementary schools in Knoxville, TN, New Orleans, LA, Chicago, and Palestine, and high schools in Chicago and Palestine, where he graduated in the class of 1931. He attended the University of Illinois and Eastern Illinois University, majoring in journalism.
He worked in the newspaper business in his youth as a reporter, editor and advertising manager. In 1939 he accepted a position of Manager of the Palestine Building and Loan Association which he held until 1943 when he joined the U. S. Army and served as a Counter Intelligence Agent in the Pacific Theater until the end of World War II.
In 1957 he was admitted to practice Law in Illinois and joined the firm of Cox and Cox in Robinson. That firm ultimately became the law firm of Cox, Phillips, Weber, Tedford and Heap, with offices in Robinson, Oblong, and Newton.
During his career, Kent was a Director of various businesses, including, the Palestine Telephone Co, the United Savings and Loan Association, the Robinson Savings and Loan Association, Farmer's State Bank and AmBanc in Palestine. He served on the Board of Crawford Memorial Hospital Foundation, was a lifelong member of the Palestine First Presbyterian Church, having served at various times on it Board of Trustees and as a Sunday school teacher. He also served several terms on the Palestine School Board, was active in the Palestine Chamber of Commerce and many other community activities.
Kent married Francine DePoister on June 17, 1936 and she survives. He is also survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Chuck Colin, Marco Island, FL, and Mary Ann and John Gerrity, Palestine; 5 grandchildren, Deanna Bradley, Michael Colin, John Kent Gerrity, Tim Gerrity, Teri Ringman; 3 great grandchildren, Matthew and Jarod Bradley, and Ailia Colin. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Ruth Green, Bloomington, IL; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Craig in infancy.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 20th at 10:30 a.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Rev. Tom Akers is in charge of services. Burial is in the Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Palestine. Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 19th. Memorials may be made to the Palestine Development Association or to the Palestine Preservation Projects Committee with envelopes at the funeral home.