Michael D. Phillips

With much sadness in our hearts, we are announcing that our beloved partner, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and brother has passed.

Michael D. “Mike” Phillips left this earthly world on Saturday, January 25, 2025, to start his new journey, as he went through the pearly gates of heaven, and was met with open arms by those who left this world before him. He is free from pain now.

Mike was born on August 31, 1947, to Michael O’Donnell and Elizabeth McClain, and was raised in Brooklyn, New York, before coming to Wisconsin. He worked various jobs: TDS Telecom, Figi’s, a bean cannery, at Air-Way Enterprise as a manager.

He was proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Navy and going on the Honor Fight; and was so happy that his Brothers from the Lonely Few Club came out on their Harleys from the airport and gave Mike’s bus an escort back to the motel. They really surprised him, and he was so honored and humbled – Mike loved his Harleys.

Mike is survived by his life companion, Linda Schneider; his children, Ken Phillips, Lori Palzkill (Tim), Don Phillips, Todd Schneider, Jeff Schneider (Jolene); 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Polly, Sandi, Ann, and Sheila; brother, Carl; and his two dogs, Grizz and Ebony; and cat, Paws.

He is further survived by his in-laws: Sue (Ken) Helmke, Mary Saba, Dan (Ruth) Varsho, Mike Varsho, Steve (Vickie) Varsho, Randy Varsho, Jeri Varsho, Vicki (Leonhard) Brostowitz, Pat Varsho, Gordon (Shirley) Varsho, Sandy (Gary) Kosmicki, Lee (Vicky) Varsho, and Tracy (Bill) Gehrke.

At Mike’s request, there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be held from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. on August 23, 2025, at the Five-O-One Sports Bar & Grill (501 South Washington Avenue, Marshfield, WI).

Mike was a great person and friend – to know Mike was to love him.

You are gone from our sight, but you will always be in our hearts.

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com for your convenience.

On Saturday, we bid farewell to my Grandpa, Mike Phillips. He went peacefully with his loving partner and his daughter by his side. If you had the pleasure of knowing my Grandpa, you are probably surprised that he went peacefully at all after all of the of the trouble he managed to get into here on Earth. He was the epitome of cool, the king of the comeback, and the first person you would go to if you had a problem, no matter how bad it was. I hope he’s up there riding free and watching all of us make our own mischief with that knowing grin that he always seemed to have. Love you, Grandpa – I’ll see you on the other side (and I’ll try to bring some good stories with me). ~Ember

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