Jean Phillips, 88, Chesterfield Township, New Jersey, died with dignity and peace Sunday afternoon February 18, 2007 after a long, sad struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born Jan. 24, 1919, he was the only son of Elmer and Jessie Kincaid-Phillips and brother to Dorothy and Rosemary. He grew up in the beautiful rolling farmlands of Olney, IL. He and his sisters attended the local one-room schoolhouse where his parents were the teachers.

Young Jean raised Merino sheep and turned bicycles into motorcycles. He graduated from Olney High School. He honorably served in the U.S. Army Air Corps attaining the rank of warrant officer during World War II. Towards the end of the war, he met his future wife, Helen Doris Wood. On May 3 they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Together they raised two daughters and buried two sons.

Jean was a respected and unmatched car mechanic, operating "Jean Phillips Auto Repairs" in Columbus for many years. He liked to grow peanuts and was gifted at woodworking. He made lots of toys and little rocking chairs for all the children and grandchildren who all loved being in his company. He will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know him, especially his loving wife Doris; his voluptuous daughter Patty; his devoted daughter Janet and her husband Carl Mathews; his grandchildren Philip and Amy. 

Services at Huber-Moore Funeral Home followed by interment at Colonial Memorial Park, South Broad Street, Trenton.

Published in The Times, Trenton (NJ) – February 20, 2007