Richard W. Phillips

Richard W. Phillips, 71, a U.S. Air Force veteran, of Painesville, passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at Lake Health West Medical Center in Willoughby. Born April 23, 1942, in Kirtland, Mr. Phillips worked at Eaton Corp. for many years and also the City of Painesville as a cemetery and parks supervisor. Richard loved his family and always tried to make sure he did right by them. He started his family with his wife at a very young age; she was 16 and he had just turned 20. He made a commitment to her and stuck with it. He tried to raise his children with high moral standards, religion, and many opportunities so they might be outstanding citizens and raise their own children the same way. Richard's family truly loved him for standing up to the challenge and never giving up on them. Hobbies of his included getting together for family dinners and events. His family will especially miss him just dropping by for a cup of coffee and giving them his opinion on politics - he loved talking about that! Richard also loved pets (dogs), fishing, hunting, boating and many other outside activities and sports. Survivors are his daughters, Rhonda (Todd) Klyn and Terri (Gary) Stemen, both of Painesville Township, and Debbie (Dane) Hockman of Leroy Township; grandchildren, Maxwell Klyn, Tyler (Courtney) Stemen, Jamie Stemen, Brandon and Adam Hockman; and great-grandchildren, Dahlia and Beau Stemen. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Rindfleisch; loving niece, Sherry Diehl Lochman; and many other loving nieces, nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Helen (Grootegoed) Phillips; granddaughter, Diane Zambory; brother, Donald Phillips; and sister, Lois Diehl. Memorial services will be 8:30 p.m. Tuesday February 18, 2014 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, where the family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until the time of the services. Private family inurnment will be held at Knollwood Cemetery at a later date. Contributions may be made in Richard's memory to the Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Suite E, Mentor, OH 44060. Online obituary at www.brunners.com.

Richard W. Phillips

April 23, 1942 - February 10, 2014