Mar. 21, 1946 - April 13, 2010SOUTH BEND - Mr. Melvin Edwin Phillips, 64, who resided on South Illinois Street, South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 6:22 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in Memorial Hospital. Melvin's life began on March 21, 1946 in South Bend when he was born to the union of Wiley and Alice (Holmes) Phillips. He was educated in the South Bend Community Schools graduating from Washington High School in 1965. Melvin played football and in the All American Football Conference. For 20 years he was employed by Fairchild's as a machinist. Among his favorite hobbies were cooking, bar-b-queuing, gardening, making bar-b-queue pits, mechanics and watching Sanford and Sons. He was a member of the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club and the "Head Brothers Club". In addition, he was a member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Phillips has left a family of three daughters, Deanna (Clifford) Phillips and Melva Phillips of South Bend, IN, and Farrin Phillips of Baltimore, Maryland; two grandchildren, Da'Onna Bennett and Darrell Bennett; two great-grandchildren, Da'Yon Woods and Da'Meire Woods; three sisters, Wilma Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia, Pearl Bowens and Belinda (Lee) Gillespie, both of South Bend, IN; three brothers, Thomas (Teresa) Phillips, Carlis (Darice) Phillips and Richard (Cathy) Adams, all of South Bend; former wife, Dianne Madison; and a special friend, Lillie Johnson of South Bend, IN, along with other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death along with his parents, Wiley and Alice Phillips; were three brothers, Wiley Phillips, Wilford Phillips and Fred Phillips. Funeral services for Mr. Phillips will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday April 17, 2010 in Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Ricardo Taylor, officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of condolence may be emailed to [email protected], c/o The Phillips Family.