Margaret E. Phillips

PHILLIPS, Margaret E. "Betsy"
of Portage Died peacefully at her Portage home on March 12, 2011. Betsy was born in Detroit, Michigan to Les and Peg Barnes. She married Earl James "Jim" Phillips in 1953 and was the mother to three sons. She lived most of her life in the metropolitan area before moving to Portage. A devoted and affectionate wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, Betsy was a graduate of Oakland University, a thrifty homemaker, an administrative assistant, and an active community and church volunteer. She liked books, bridge, crossword puzzles, and handwritten correspondence. Betsy was a loyal friend, a trustworthy neighbor and a lifelong Episcopalian remaining active at St. Luke's in Kalamazoo. She is survived by her husband, Jim; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Lisa Phillips of Lawton, Thom and Lane Phillips of Portage and David and Sharie Phillips of Holland; seven grandchildren, James Katie Jasperse, Ryland and Alden Phillips, Elizabeth Taylor Otten, Sarah, Maegan, and Chelsea Phillips; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat and Al Burkett of Brighton, and Judy and Tom Gant of Clinton Township; and five nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Langeland Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 411 East Centre Ave, Portage, MI. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Her private interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity www.habitatkalamazoo.org , Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity www.lakeshorehabitat.org , or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan www.hospiceswmi.org . Please see www.langelands.com for online obituary, register book and condolences.