Merle Dean Phillips

February 8, 1933 - December 4, 2017

Merle Dean Phillips, age 84, of Clare, passed away at his home on Monday, December 4, 2017. He was born the son of Arthur and Agnes (Hampton) Phillips on Feb. 8, 1933 in Clare. He married Laila Haring on Dec. 31, 1951 and she preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 1995. He later married Wilma Shurlow on Feb. 14, 1998 and she survives him. Merle had been a Heavy Equipment Mechanic with Operating Engineers. He was a member of the Clare United Methodist Church where he could be found often operating the dishwasher for many of the church’s activities or helping in the kitchen at Church Camp. He was a life member of the Clare Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had been a licensed Pilot, had owned his own aircrafts, and had built his own home. Merle loved “puttering” in his workshop or his garden. His daughter said” He could fix anything, and wouldn’t stop trying until it was fixed!” Merle is survived by his wife, Wilma, his son, Dustin (Susan) Phillips of Carolina Beach, N.C., his daughter, Angela (Willie) Mustafa of Sparta, Michigan, his daughter-in-law, Lynne Phillips of Grand Rapids, step-sons, James Shurlow and Charles (Krista) Shurlow, his grandchildren, Helen Koester, Candice Phillips, Jessica Phillips, Krista (Nick) Sanchez, Randy Burson, and Aleisha Dickman, step-grandchildren, Ryan and Austin Shurlow, Jimmy Shurlow, Sarah Lee, Desiree Rowan, Brooke VanDorn, Willie Mustafa and Aesha Mustafa and great-grandchildren, Lila Sanchez, Baylee Phillips, Giselle Williams, Veronica Phillips, Brandon and Dereck Carr, Madison Rowan, and Mackenzie and Kaeden VanDorn. He was preceded in death by his wife Laila, his son, Merle Wayne Phillips, his parents and his brothers. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at 2:00 PM from the Clare United Methodist Church with Pastor John Kasper officiating. Burial will follow in the Vernon Township Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family on Friday, Dec. 8, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Clare United Methodist Church Childcare Building Fund.