Robert E. Phillips, 87 of Princeton, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at River Oaks Health Campus in Princeton after a short illness. 

Bob was born in Princeton, Indiana on August 30, 1926 to parents Charles A. Phillips, Sr. and Goldie A. Coomer.

He was raised in the Princeton Church of the Nazarene. Bob graduated in the Princeton High School class of 1944 early so he could serve his country in WWII. He was in the US Navy, serving on landing vessel LSM 327 in the south Pacific, participating in campaigns at Guam, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. When the war ended he returned home to Princeton in April of 1946 and was married to Patricia L. Gilmour on December 22, 1946 at the Princeton Methodist Church. The two were married for 62 years until Pat's death in 2008. 

In the late 1950’s, Bob was in business with Earl Kirk at K&P Shell station on the corner of Spruce and Main Streets. He was active in maintaining and racing stock cars. In 1960 he took a position as a mail carrier at the Princeton post office and retired as assistant postmaster in 1989 after 29 years of service. In the early years of retirement, he and his wife Pat traveled extensively through the entire United States and enjoyed watching their granddaughters’ sports. In later years Bob took pleasure in taking care of his home, lawn, and cars as well as participating in the VFW funeral detail, giving due recognition to deceased veterans. He was a past commander and life member of American Legion Post 25 and was a life member of the VFW #1147, Prince Masonic Lodge 231, Princeton Elks Lodge #634 as well as the Forty & Eight U.S. veterans' honor organization. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat in 2008, and his only brother and best friend Charles, Jr. in 2011. He was a man of great integrity and honesty and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Family left to remember his life include daughter Linda Barton of Princeton and son James Phillips of Indianapolis; granddaughters Robyn Slayton of Princeton and Whitney Barton (Ryan) Fonte of Fort Branch, IN; great-grandchildren Taylor and Parks Fonte; nephews Tyk (Bev) Phillips of Marietta, GA and Mike Phillips of Princeton. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Princeton.

Visitation from 1 p.m. until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Military rites will be provided by retired military veterans. 

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