Zehrea Phillips

Zehrea Bernice Phillips, 98, of Rushville, passed away at 6:14 AM, Saturday, February 8, 2020, at the Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rushville.

She was born on February 16, 1921, in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, Illinois, the daughter of William T. and Ida (Persinger) Haber.  She married Willard Phillips on May 25, 1946, at the First United Methodist Church in Beardstown.  He preceded her in death on May 14, 2001.

She was a 1938 graduate of Rushville High School.  Her first job was working as a secretary at Mickelberrys and later Bartlow Brothers in Rushville.  She devoted her life to caring for and raising her family.

Zehrea was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Women’s Circle Group.  She assisted with both the 4-H and Girl Scouts.  She enjoyed playing the piano, cooking, sewing, quilting and gardening.

Surviving are four children Rick Phillips and wife Luan of Rushville, Patricia Estep of Springfield, Sandra Wellbrock and husband Lyle of Anthony, Kansas, and Diane Clow of Hannibal, Missouri, six grandchildren Julie Davis and husband Tom, Lynde France and husband Nick, Brianna Wellbrock, Bess Wellbrock, Kim Clow, and Katherine Clow, seven great grandchildren Shelby Davis, Alonna Davis, Landon France, Noah France, Emma Washington, Quincey Washington, and Adrian Washington, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Thomas “Chip” Estep, two sisters Mary Dorothy Haber and Josephine Ward, one brother Allen Haber, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with David Haney officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation, the First United Methodist Church in Rushville or the Rushville Public Library.