Terry Michael Phillips

Terry Michael Phillips, 71, of Emporia, passed away early Sunday, June 16, 2019 at Presbyterian Manor.He was born December 11, 1947 in Emporia, KS., the son of Frank and Maxine Wieland Phillips. Terry attended Emporia High School and graduated with the Class of 1965. On June 29th of that same year Terry entered the United States Navy.  He proudly served aboard the USS Independence. After receiving an honorable discharge on November 29, 1968 he began working as a janitor and clerk for the Santa Fe Railroad. Terry would work his way into the Apprentice Engineer Program. After forty years of service Terry retired as an engineer in 2008. Terry married Cynthia Dimick on September 12, 1969. They had a daughter Jennifer together. Terry and Cynthia would later divorce.  Terry married Cindy (Hawthorne) Beeman on July 10, 1976 in Emporia, KS. He was a dedicated member of the Flint Hills Bible Church and acted as grounds keeper until his health would no longer allow him. He was also a member of the American Legion. Terry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather that will live on in the hearts of his wife, Cindy of their home in Emporia, KS; daughters, Jennifer Neal and husband Jeff of Harlingen, TX., Sunny Harvey and husband Greg of Overland Park, KS. and Meredith Reneau and husband Mike of Independence, MO.; his mother, Maxine Phillips-Cox of Topeka, KS.; sisters, Lyn Horgan of Delia, KS., Diane Bitler of Burlington, KS., Cheryl Knight of Emporia, KS. and Trish Baughman of Topeka, KS.; brothers, Steve Phillips of Yukon, OK., Craig Phillips of Topeka, KS. and Danny Phillips of Palm Springs, CA.; eleven grandchildren, Trevor, Alex, Elisabeth and Margaret Neal, Griffin, Graham and Gavin Harvey, Gabrielle (Reneau) Pietrogiovanna, Elijah, Hudson and Amelia Reneau; numerous extended family and countless dear friends. Terry was preceded in death by his father, Frank and an infant grandson, Sawyer John Reneau. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Terry’s life at 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Flint Hills Bible Church, 1836 E. Hwy 50, Emporia, KS. 66801. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Church.  Inurnment will follow services at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, 2000 Prairie Street, Emporia, KS. 66801. Terry requested that memorial contributions be made to the Flint Hills Bible Church or the Sertoma of Emporia Miniature Train sent in  care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, KS. 66856. Condolences may be made at vanarsdalefs.com.