Born: July 1, 1926

Died: June 6, 2013

Lou Emma Phillips, 86, of Niles, died at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on July 1, 1926, in Lake City, Ark., where she lived until coming to Niles in 1951.

Lou had been a member of the former Assembly of God congregation in Niles

since 1951 (now Michiana Christian Embassy).  In more recent years, she has enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles, many of which have been framed as artwork.

On Oct. 17, 1942, in Lake City, Ark., she married Victor R. Phillips with whom she celebrated the 66th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Oct. 12, 2009.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Victor Eugene Phillips who died on May 6, 2010, and by her mother, Nina Walker.

Surviving family includes their children, Jimmy Durl Phillips, of Dowagiac, and James William (and Bev) Phillips, Isaac  “Ray” (and Sylvia) Phillips, Charles Wayne (and Jeanette) Phillips, and Robert Earl (and Terrie) Phillips, all of Niles; a daughter-in-law, Jeanette (Mrs. Victor) Phillips, of South Bend, Ind.; 16grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren; and Lou’s sister, Mary Bryant, of Niles; four nieces and two nephews.

The funeral service for Lou Emma Phillips will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Daniel Miller of the First Missionary Church in Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Phillips may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com