Victor R. Phillips, 88, of Generations Drive, South Bend, Ind., and formerly of Niles, died at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at Wood Ridge Assisted Living Community, South Bend, Ind., following an extended illness.

The funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Robert E. Jackson of First Church of God officiating.

Committal will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at noon on Monday at the funeral home.

He was born on April 11, 1921, in Etowah, Ark. to John William and Alta Lee (Neeley) Phillips.

He moved from Arkansas to Niles in 1951, and two years ago moved to South Bend, Ind.
He retired in 1978 from Clark Equipment Company.

He attended First Missionary Church in Niles.

On Oct. 17, 1942, in Lake City, Ark., he married Lou Emma (Walker) Phillips, who survives.

Surviving family also includes sons, Victor Eugene (Jeanette) Phillips of Niles, Jimmy Durl Phillips of Dowagiac, James William (Beverley) Phillips of Niles, Isaac “Ray” (Sylvia) Phillips of Niles, Charles Wayne (Jeanette) Phillips of Niles and Robert Earl (Terrie) Phillips of Niles; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a half-sister, Nioma Lee Lowell of Oklahoma and a sister-in-law, Mary Bryant of Niles.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Alline Helms and a half-brother, John E. Phillips.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.