Delbert C. Phillips

Delbert C. “Deb” Phillips, 99, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Riverside Methodist Hospital at Columbus, Ohio.A son of the late Clyde and Norma Jean (Crawford) Phillips, Deb was born November 9, 1911 in West Lafayette, OH He was a graduate of West Layfette High School and in 1933 he graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Education. Deb’s first teaching position was at Roscoe High School. He then became a business education teacher at New Philadelphia High School where he would remain for the next 37 years, retiring in 1974. Deb also served as the Athletic Manager for 10 years while at New Philadelphia.Deb was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and also attended the First United Methodist Church both at New Philadelphia. He was a member of the Retired Teachers Association as well as the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510.He enjoyed watching sports on television and especially had a passion for playing golf. Deb enjoyed golfing with his good friend, Rev. Stuart Barr and he did so up until the age of 97.He married Margaret Jane Lyons on December 29, 1933 who preceded him in death in June, 1969. On September 1, 1979 he married Mary Spring who died in August, 2006.He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Steve and Carla Phillips of Chillicothe; a daughter Deborah Fleming of Columbus, Ohio; three grandchildren Stephanie Phillips Lampley and her husband Tim; Matthew Phillips and his wife Nicolle, Elizabeth Fleming and her friend David Krall and great-grandsons Brendan and Brodie Phillips. He is further survived by a step-daughter Sue Spring, step-daughters and their husbands Jim and Sally Clark, Joe and Sharon Lombardo, and David and Karon Smetana; step-grandchildren Brian Clark (Kelly), Stacy Bollon (Michael), Joe Lombardo (Suzanna), Lauren and Michael Lombardo, John Martin, Jamie and Mary Zinc; step-great-grandchildren McKinley and Ryan Lampley, Grace Clark, Jameson and Raelee Moore, Ansley and Andres Bollon, Logan and Jack Martin. In addition to his parents and wives he was preceded in death by two sisters, Wilma Heller and Evelyn Vinsel; a son-in-law Bob Fleming, and step grandson Mark Martin.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Deb’s life will follow in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Richard Greenwood officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or the Quaker Foundation, P.O. Box 627, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.