Phillip Robert Phelps

Phillip Robert Phelps, age 67, of Mt. Carroll, IL went on to his heavenly home on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at home, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held, Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of God in Mt. Carroll. Visitation will take place Thursday, December 7, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as one hour prior to Friday’s service, at the church. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Mt. Carroll.

Phil was born November 19, 1956 in Decatur, IL, the son of Rev. Robert and Wauneta “Fern” (Atteberry) Phelps. He attended Stockton High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track, winning several awards. Following his graduation with the class of 1975, he married the love of his life, Dawn Ditsworth, on June 27th, 1976, and enjoyed 47 wonderful years of marriage. From their union they were blessed with two amazing daughters, Mindy (Shawn) Lindsay and Melinda Hartman, along with five wonderful grandchildren, who were the light of his life; Kobe Lindsay, Mackenzie Lindsay, Faith Hartman, Addison Hartman, and Ryker Hartman.

Phil worked as a machinist for Woods Equipment Company for over 30 years, until having to retire due to injury at work. He was a very creative, artistic man, whose unique creations touched the lives of many people. He enjoyed spending time in his wood shop making anything you could think of, from lamps to jewelry to furniture. He was a power arm-wrestler, and he also ran a sports card shop with his son-in-law, Shawn Lindsay, for many years, where many good times and memories were made, and along the way, some of these moments led to Phil earning the nicknames, “Rocky” and “Boxcar.”

Phil had a heart of gold and was always willing to help anybody. His family always came first, and he loved the Lord, attending the Mt. Carroll Church of God, where he actively participated whenever he could. Phil is also a former member of the Mt. Carroll Fire Department.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Dawn Phelps; two daughters, Mindy (Shawn) Lindsay and Melinda Hartman, both of Mt. Carroll; five grandchildren, Kobe Lindsay, of Lanark, and Mackenzie Lindsay, Faith Hartman, Addison Hartman, and Ryker Hartman, all of Mt. Carroll; parents, Rev. Robert and Wauneta Phelps, of Lanark; brother, Steve (Kris) Phelps, of Polo; sister, Pam Phelps, of Lanark. He also leaves behind two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Susan Bonnell and Sherry (Rick) Allen, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, Rick Phelps; cousin, Jerry Baity; brothers-in-law, Gene Fritz and Randy Bonnell; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ronald and Veryle Sack.