- Date Of Birth: April 16, 1928
- Date Of Death: January 17, 2015
- State: Ohio
Gail Lea Phillis, Sr. age 86, of Salem, died at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center with his family by his side. He was born at home on April 16,1928 in Salem, Ohio, son of the late Charles W. and Mary (Burt) Phillis. Gail lived his entire life, 86 years, in the same house where he was born. He attended grade school at the old “Fairview School” on Salem Grange Road which would later be consolidated into the United Local School District. He attended Salem High School through his sophomore year until he left to work on the family farm. Gail met the love of his life, Barbara Jean McFadden in 1947 at Phillips Christian Church and they married at the church on March 18, 1950. His wife of 64 years, Barbara preceded Gail in October of 2014. The youngest of seven siblings himself, Gail along with Barbara, had seven children whom he often jokingly referred to as ‘farm hands’, created to work on the large farm he owned. He is survived by five sons; Gail L. Phillis Jr., Michael A. (Lynn) Phillis both of Salem, Jerald A. (Kim) Phillis of New Waterford, Scott H. (Peggy) Phillis of Lisbon, Richard G. Phillis of Buffalo, N.Y.; two daughters; Diana L. (Rorie) Reiter of Salem, and Janet L. (Edward) DiBaggio of Salem; 19 grandchildren, Dominic and Anthony DiBaggio, Brianne and Hillary Phillis, Dustin Reiter, Emily (Cade) Shoff, Mitchell and Mollie Phillis, Megan (Derek) Frederick, Rich, Robert, Keith Phillis, Bridget (Tom) Habak, Sarah and Beckah Phillis, Lindsay (Jeremiah) Frantz, Lauren (Clinton) Barnhart, Caitlin (Ray) Beaver, and Jennah (Charles) Honeycutt; 12 great-grandchildren, Ryker Shoff, Caragan and Ian Frederick, Kaden Phillis, Karson and Korbyn Frantz, Benzley Honeycutt, Mason Barnhart, Julianna Beaver, and Lexi, Kassie & Katie Habak. Gail was preceded in death by three brothers, George B. Phillis, Charles R. Phillis and John K. Phillis; three sisters, Rachel R. Milliken, Anna Windle, and Catherine Koons; infant grandson, Brandon Phillis, and infant great-granddaughter, Lydia Barnhart. Mr. Phillis was a member of the Salem Grange and was recently honored for achieving 70 years of membership. Mr. Phillis owned and retired from his trucking company in 1977.
