Gene Phillips

Gene Phillips

Oskaloosa. Gene Phillips, 88, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born on January 24, 1937, on a farm near Leighton, Iowa, in Mahaska County, the son of Albert and Helen Traister Phillips. He graduated from Tracy High School with the class of 1955. On November 22, 1957, he was united in marriage to Louise Shipman. To this union two daughters were born Kristi and Kim. Gene and Louise later divorced. In 1959, he joined the United States Army Reserves and served for 14 years. Early on Gene worked at Continental Manufacturing and later for PAMCO. In 1980, he went to work at Pella Corp. He retired from there in 2007 after 27 years. On May 11, 1990, Gene was united in marriage to Judy Terpstra in Oskaloosa. Together the two of them owned and operated Wood N Stuff hobby store in the Penn Central Mall. Where they promoted their love for woodworking and model trains with the community. Gene had a strong desire to give back to the community. Gene was a big part of the County Conservation Board doing a lot of leg work early on. He served in the Oskaloosa Fire Department and Police Department Reserves in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. He also participated in the See Iowa Tour with Iowa Governor Robert Ray Caravans 4 and 5. He was a founding member of the Railroad Club at Penn Central Mall. He was also a member of the Oskaloosa American Legion and the Eagles. He enjoyed model railroading, auctions, building all kinds of projects from scratch, and woodworking.

His family includes his two daughters,  Kristi Bridges and Kim (Steve) Dixon all of Oskaloosa; two grandchildren, Randie (Kalob) Gist and Eric (Liam) Bridges; a great grandson, Kamden.

Gene was preceded in death by Judy Phillips on July 3, 2012, his parents, and his grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Military Rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the MHP Hospice Serenity House or the American Legion Memorial Day Committee.