- Date Of Birth: December 22, 1922
- Date Of Death: June 15, 2012
- State: Illinois
Esther Elmo Phillips, 89 of Centralia passed away at her home Friday, June 15, 2012, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the daughter of Elmer and Ruby (Conway) Pape. She married William J. Phillips on October 8th, 1970. She is also survived by a step-daughter Judie Phillips Forrest and husband Bruce of Houston, Texas; two brothers: James Pape and wife Ursula and Richard Pape; two Sisters Mary Ann Koetter and husband Melvin and Patricia Jean Caudle; nephews Merle Chaddick, Kevin Koetter, Michael Pape, Joseph Pape, Dan Pape and Matt Pokojski; nieces Linda Bauer, Lori Ann Buchman, Dana Richards and Christa Pokojski. She is survived by many great nieces and nephews. Each and everyone of them were dearly beloved by her and she felt they were all gifts in her life. Also dear friends Bob and Joane Spitler and families. Raymond and Linda Decker, Beth Sprehe, Vera Marshoff and Bob and Doris Mashburn. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Wilema Proffit, nieces: Cheryl Koetter Kramer, Marla Koetter and a nephew: Mark Koetter. Mrs. Phillips was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 33 years and she retired in 1979. She was of the Christian Faith. Mrs. Phillips was an avid fisherwoman and also enjoyed cruises, traveling, music, painting and home making. She received an Associates Degree in Arts at Kaskaskia College in 1985 and at the age of 81 she received a B.A. Degree in General Studies at Eastern Illinois University. She was a member of the EIU Alumni Association, Phi Theat Kappa and Alpha Sigma Lambda sororities. She was also, a life member of the Telephone Company Pioneers.
