Lionel (Sonny) Phillips

Age 90, passed away on Monday, February 29, 2016 at home.

Sonny was born in Wilmington, Delaware on December 18, 1925 to Lionel and Lola (Whaley) Phillips. He was a graduate of H. Fletcher Brown Vocational High School, where he studied electrical engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from January 1944 to April 1946. He also served in the Korean War from October 1950 to January 1954.

On August 10, 1946, Sonny married the love of this life, Vera Sloboda, at St. Michael Orthodox Church in Wilmington. He took his first job at the Pennsylvania Railroad. He then worked for 25 years at Ralston Purina Chow Company. After the plant closure, he worked for Robert J. Peoples Painting Company, Inc., where he retired from in 1987.

Sonny was a good, honest, hard-working man with love for his family, God, and his country. He was cherished and loved by his family, and he will truly be missed more than words can express.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Vera J. Phillips, his brother, William Phillips, and his sisters, Alma Spinden, Dorothy Martin, Virginia Farren, and Catherine Vanhekle.

Sonny is survived by his children, Linda McVey (Ralph) of Lewes, DE, and Wayne Phillips of Landenberg, PA; his grandchildren, Tony McVey (Angela) and Nicole Neall (John); his great-grandchildren, Justin, Ryan, Sara, Johnny, and Jaren; and his dear friend, Faye Whiteman.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Service on Friday, March 4, at 10:00 am at Krienen Funeral Home, 34 West 6th Street, New Castle. A viewing will take place at the funeral home on Friday morning, from 9:00-10:00 am. Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Delaware Association for the Blind, 2915 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 405 East Marsh Lane, Suite #4, Newport, DE 19804.

Krienen Funeral Home
302.328.9300
www.delawarefuneral.com