Philip Newell Townsend

Philip Newell Townsend, age 91, of Hanover, Illinois died Thursday, September 13, 2007, at Grandview Estates Assisted Living in Elizabeth, Illinois. He died peacefully, surrounded by family members. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Hanover. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover. Military rites will be accorded by the Hanover VFW. A visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2007 at the funeral home. Memorials in Phil’s memory may be given to Grandview Estates, 540 Pleasant St., Elizabeth, IL 61028 or F.H.N. Hospice, 773 W. Lincoln Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032.

Phil was born in Shullsburg, WI on January 27, 1916, the son of Frank and Anna (McCarty) Townsend. He graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1933. After working in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Phil served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He married Ruth Blyth of Aurora, IL on December 11, 1944 in Elkton, MD. Phil moved to Hanover in 1946 and worked at the Savanna Army Depot as a Production Controller Specialist for thirty years until retiring in 1976.

Phil was an outstanding multi-sport athlete as a youth in Shullsburg and later played for baseball teams in Hanover in the 1940's. He managed the Hanover Little League during the 1950's and 1960's. He was an avid Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Cubs fan all of his life. He enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be fondly remembered as a true gentleman by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Phil is survived by six sons, Vance (Barbara) Townsend of Fort Collins, CO; Ward (Julie) Townsend of Tucson, AZ, Frank (Mary) Townsend of Hanover, IL, Andrew (Cindy) Townsend of Salisbury, MD, Russell (Cindy) Townsend of Freeport, IL, and Ernest (Jeneen) Townsend of St. Charles, IL; one daughter, Amber (Robert) Palm of Tucson, AZ; eleven grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew, Melanie, Wesley, Jeffrey, Mark, Tracey, Ashlee, Allison, Kathleen and Elyse; one brother, Bergen (Gert) Townsend and one sister, Kathleen Davison, both of Shullsburg, WI; and one brother-in-law, William Reed of Monroe, WI.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife Ruth on February 17, 1971 in Hanover; two brothers, James Edwin Townsend and Lyle Townsend; and four sisters, Avene Townsend, Evelyn Bradt, Gen Gile and Marge Reed.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and residents of Grandview Estates Assisted Living, Elizabeth Nursing Home, Freeport Hospice Program, and the many area residents who have visited Phil over the past several years.