Phillip Howard Mershon

Phillip Howard Mershon, 82, of Marshall, peacefully passed away after a brief illness on April 24, 2022, surrounded by his family, in Battle Creek, MI.

He was born on July 9, 1939, to Howard and Florence (Beals) Mershon in Linesville, PA. He attended school in Linesville, graduating in just 11 years. He attended Antioch College for his undergraduate work, where he also worked off campus at the Natural History Museum in New York, The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and Clear Lake Camp near Hastings, MI, among others as part of his education. He completed his Master’s degree at Western Michigan University. Phillip worked as an educator for Marshall Public Schools for 30 years, teaching in Hughes and Gordon Elementary Schools and in Marshall Middle School. On August 11, 1962, he married Marilyn Lippert, a fellow teacher, at the First Presbyterian Church of Marshall.

Phil and Marilyn have been longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Phil played in the bell choir, served as usher coordinator, an elder and the Clerk of Session for many years. When their children were young, the family were avid campers, and often traveled on long summer vacations in their travel trailer. The couple traveled extensively upon Phil’s retirement, enjoying trips to many places, including Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. He was one of the founders of Mobile Meals of Marshall, serving as the treasurer and a driver for many years. Phil was an avid fan of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and would have been a great competitor on either show. He also collected and put together a huge Christmas village, changing and adding to it each year. He had a passion for lighthouses, collecting miniature replicas and visiting many of them on his travels. From the time he moved to Marshall, he followed Marshall High School sports; in the early years, this led to his marriage to Marilyn. In recent years, he was an avid supporter of the Marshall High School swim team, earning him the nickname “Grandpa Swim”.

Phillip is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Marilyn; daughter, Nancy (Stuart) Sutherland; son, Alan (Connie) Mershon; brothers, Daniel (Trudy) Mershon and Timothy (Faye) Mershon; two granddaughters, Abigail (Brent Smith) Mershon and Liana Sutherland; several nieces and nephews and a great-niece and several great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Florence Beals Mershon and his father, Howard Milton Mershon.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 29, 2022, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Marshall, Michigan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, 11:00 am at the Kempf Family Funeral Marshall Chapel, Marshall, Michigan, with Rev. Penny Pitts officiating. Interment will take place in the Oakridge Cemetery, Saturday, at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mobile Meals of Marshall, First Presbyterian Church of Marshall, or Glenn Arbor Hospice. Online condolences can be given at HTTP://www.kempffuneralhome.com