Wilma Marie Phillips

Local historian passes, Wilma Marie Phillips, 95, of Prosperity, passed away Monday, February 24, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born on November 17, 1929, the daughter of the late Harry and Lucille Hart Webster. On July 15, 1947, she married her husband, the late Daniel Gipson Phillips, and is survived by their three children, Sandra (Robert) Marsteller, Randall (Kim Reis) Phillips and Stacy (Ray Peters) Phillips. A stay-at-home wife and mother certainly did not define her! She was a member of the Martha V. Paul Order of the Eastern Star. She had a passion for local history that led her to memberships in the Washington, Greene and Morris Township Historical Societies. She actively supported her children growing up by being involved in the McGuffey PTA and Band Boosters as well as helping with their 4-H horse and pony and sewing projects. As a member of Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, she held the offices of elder and trustee. She joined the Women’s Missionary Society and enjoyed singing in the choir. She served as superintendent of the Sunday School, where her Sunday morning opening session taught the youth scripture, songs, short Bible stories as well as symbols important to her faith. Marie’s family was an integral part of the Covered Bridge Festivals as each year they put on their period costumes and made the most delicious apple butter in a copper kettle. She was an avid sports fan, and conversations would always center around her Pirates, Steelers, and beloved Penguins “Pens.” In her later years, after several surgeries and rehabilitations, she adopted the Bradley Physical Therapy team as her second family. She was so very appreciative of their spiritual and physical guidance and loved them dearly. Her passions were gardening, decorating and birds. Her pride and joy were her flower beds and yard décor (full of gnomes) and “oh” the seasonal decorations that made her home beautiful. She fed her birds and could tell you the name of every one of them, but her favorite was the hummingbird. Marie leaves behind beautiful memories of her love for music, dancing, and baking. Her family and community of friends and neighbors meant everything to her and every Saturday they would line up for her “Marie/Grandma” buns to eat hot from the oven. Lastly, the family would like to express their gratitude for the local neighbors, Gateway Hospice, and her home health caregivers. She is survived by her three children; five grandchildren, Ian (Jenni) Marsteller of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, Jordan (Dana) Marsteller of Washington, Adam (Katie) Phillips, Nicole Phillips and Matthew Phillips of Prosperity; 11 great-grandchildren, Madison Fleming, Bryce, Hayden, Hadley, Benjamin and Myles Marsteller and Elizabeth, Grace, Emma, Eli and Easton Phillips; a sister, Phyllis Ullom; and a niece, Denise Ullom Cornell. Marie is predeceased by her husband, Daniel; a sister, Betty Louise Lightner; brothers-in-law Arthur Lightner and Donald Ullom; and a niece, Janet Ullom. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, with Chaplain Dana Motte officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, Morris Township VFD and/or Gateway Hospice.