John Phillips Obituary

John Phillips,
Age 72, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025, in Whitefish Bay, WI.
John led a rich and satisfying life. He was born in Lansing, MI and moved with his parents throughout the Midwest, living in a number of states until he came to rest in Des Moines, IA when his parents retired. He then moved to Whitefish Bay to be close to his brother Jim when John's parents passed away. John lived independently, with a little help, from his family and friends. John was proudly employed throughout his working years, generally in the food service industry where he could take advantage of his favorite activity, eating.
John's early years came with a few health challenges and that left him in a body cast for a few summer months in St. Louis. He quickly became attached to a six D cell battery transistor radio and developed a lifelong love for listening to baseball on radio, likely in part attributable to the Cardinals winning the World Series twice in the 1960s, and the announcing of Harry Caray. Thereafter John would reliably report on the wins and losses and the stats. Plenty of stats.
In his mid-years John's passion was walking and motoring around town on the city bus system. He knew the bus routes and schedules like the back of his hand, and he loved to take off on a weekend day and explore the neighborhoods and malls across the city. In a different life he probably would have been an architect, or a city planner.
As he aged, the trips got shorter, and John's destinations of choice upon moving to Whitefish Bay were the Whitefish Bay Public Library and the local Starbucks. John developed a great rapport with the library staff, and they were so welcoming that the library became his second home. John loved to read the papers from around the country, and he always found something of interest to pass on to his friends. He developed quite a personal collection of newspapers going back a number of years.
John's greatest asset was his ability to improve the quality of life of those around him. He helped us keep everything in perspective and helped us focus on how fortunate we are in so many ways. John was always in a good mood, and always thankful for the littlest of support. But he was also quick to remind his brother if his brother forgot to stop at Sendik's and pick up coffee or bananas on his way home from work, or when having John over for dinner his brother forgot dessert.
John will be missed by all who were touched by him. The effect of his presence will remain with us for the rest of our lives.
John is survived by brother Jim Phillips (Karen Plunkett) of Whitefish Bay, and his niece and nephews Bryan Phillips (Sara Fay Katz) of San Francisco, CA, Caroline Clark of Brookfield, WI (and her two children Logan and Bodhi) and Stephen Phillips (Alejandra Ponciano) of Mexico City, Mexico. He was predeceased by his parents, Warren and Margaret Phillips, his sister-in-law, Lisa Phillips, and niece Lea Mar Phillips.
If you are so inclined, a donation to the Whitefish Bay Public Library Foundation would have been John's wish. If you are not so inclined, please return any overdue books.