Rex Phillips

Rex Phillips, 76, passed away Monday (April 24, 2023). He was at Accolade Health Care in Paxton with his family by his side.

He was born in Champaign on March 23, 1947, to the late Harold “Red” and Evelyn (Miller) Phillips of Mansfield, where he spent his youth.

He married Rita Cody of Ivesdale on Aug. 26, 1968, and enjoyed 54 years of marriage until his passing.

He moved to Ludlow, where he was employed and enjoyed working for the Ludlow Co-Op, where he retired after 43 years in 2012.

He was a volunteer fireman for the village of Ludlow for 17 years.

Rex loved his family and friends, attending auto racing and being outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gary Phillips, all of Mansfield.

He is survived by his wife, Rita of Ludlow; a son, John Phillips of Ludlow; daughter, Leslie (Tim) Howard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister, Dorothy Baker of Mahomet; grandson, Joshua (Amanda) Shields of Fultondale, Ala.; and a granddaughter, Brittini Shields of Mr. Olive, Ala.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. His ashes will then be held by his family until scattering at a later date.