Jon Aaron Phillips, 67, of Shobonier, died on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at 6:10 p.m. at SBL Fayette County Hospital.
Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services at this time, and interment will be held at a later date. Hohlt and File Funeral Home in Vandalia is assisting the family.
Mr. Phillips was born Dec. 7, 1953, in Vandalia, to Donald and Elizabeth Anne (Adair) Phillips. He married Rhonda Elaine Doyle on Oct. 19, 1974, at the First Presbyterian Church in Vandalia, and she survives. Together they celebrated 47 years of marriage and raised their three sons.
He graduated from Vandalia Community High School with the class of 1972 as an Illinois State Scholar. He then attended the University of Illinois, where he obtained a degree in landscape architecture in 1976.
During his career, Mr. Phillips served as a farmer and the owner and operator of Belpark, Ltd. - Custom Farm Service. He began farming in 1978 and eventually opened his business in 1983. He was quite obsessed with business and farming, but in his free time he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Vandalia. He served on the Fayette County Farm Bureau, Carlyle Lake Watershed Association, the Soil Conservation Service and the Vandalia School Board.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Phillips is survived by his sons, Erik (wife Laura) Phillips of Hillsboro, Scott (wife Rachelle) Phillips of Glen Carbon and Quinn (wife Caelyn) Phillips of Collinsville; brothers, Thad (wife Darlene) Phillips of Patoka and Bonn (wife Susan) Phillips of El Cerrito, CA; sister, Candee (husband Rob) McMahon of Wonder Lake; grandchildren, Julia Phillips, Logan Phillips, Henry Phillips and Hank Phillips; stepgrandchildren, Blaze, Liberty, Harper and Harrison Helton; and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Becky, Nancy and Nina.
Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Vandalia.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.hohltandfilefh.com.
