Donald Edward "Don" Phillips died Thursday night, April 14, 2011 at the Aspirus Ontonagon Long Term Care Facility after a brief illness.

Don was born on August 4, 1941 in Allen County, Indiana (Ft. Wayne) to Wilson E. and Mildred E. Phillips. He attended Ft. Wayne Johnny Appleseed Special Needs schools and adult workshops, and received his high school diploma, of which he was very proud. Don resided with his parents until their deaths in 1986, then lived with his sister, Bonnie Schenk in Woodburn, Indiana until 1996, when he moved to Ontonagon to live with his sister, Dot Phillips. He was immediately enrolled in the Copper County Mental Health Workshop/Day Care program, and in 2000, began residing in adult foster care, first with Julie Gagnon in Rockland and later moved to Bruce Crossing Northern Stars AFC in 2005. Don loved people and was very fond of his foster parents and his workshop staff and peers.

Don was a proud honorary member of the Harlan (Indiana) Lions Club, the Ontonagon County Chamber of Commerce, Ontonagon County Habitat for Humanity and Ontonagon County Animal Protection. Don loved being with people. He was a member of the Ontonagon United Methodist church, but attended "his" United Methodist Church in Ewen.

Don was preceded in death by his parents in 1986 and sister, Bonnie (Kenneth) Schenk in 2002. He is survived by his sister, Dot Phillips of Ontonagon; brother, Ronald (Hedy) Phillips of Woodburn, Indiana; 6 nieces and nephews; 13 great-nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins, all in Indiana.

Visitation for Don will be held at the Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon on Sunday, April 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with funeral services taking place 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 18 at the United Methodist Church of Ontonagon, with Pastor Bruce Steinberg and Pastor Ted Trudgeon officiating. Interment will take place at the North Scipio Cemetery near Harlan, Indiana.

Those who wish may make donations to the United Methodist Churches of Ontonagon or Ewen.