Born: March 19, 1934

Died: Jan. 23, 2013

Lodner C. Phillips, 78, of Niles, Mich., died at 2:34 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., of injuries suffered in a fall on Jan. 14.

He was born on March 19, 1934 in Niles to Laudner C. and Dorothy Marie (Anderson) Phillips, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1951.  He was employed at the former Thornton Electric in Niles for many years, and retired from the Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance agency in Cassopolis.

Lodner was a member of the First Baptist Church in Niles.  He enjoyed the outdoors, especially working in his yard, fishing, and hunting.  He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.  He had a great love of military history, was a fan of the History Channel on television, and was always interested in learning more.

On Aug. 30, 1952 he married the former Juanita Schrader at a beautiful ceremony in her parents’ yard.  They celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding last year.

Surviving family includes his wife, Juanita Phillips, and their children, Vickie (& Mick) Kidwell of Niles and Patrick (& Jody) Phillips of Edwardsburg, Mich.; grandchildren, Michael W. (& Kellie) Kidwell, Adam (& Hannah) Kidwell, Kyle Kidwell, Ryan P. (& Karen) Phillips, Julianne Phillips, and Alexandra Phillips; great-grandchildren, Raegan Joanne Kidwell and Cameron Michael Kidwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Patricia Kemp.

The funeral service for Lodner Phillips will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Contributions in memory of Lodner may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1446 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan  49120.

www.halbritterfunerals.com