Arlene P. Phillips, age 83, of 11987 T. Road, Rapid River, died Thursday August 24, 2006, at the Christian Park Health Care Facility in Escanaba.

Arlene was born May 21, 1923, in Crystal Falls, the daughter of Clifford and Leona (Bennum) Payne. Arlene was raised in Indiana where she attended the Buffalo, Indiana schools. On February 16, 1945, Arlene married Alfred J. (A.J.) Phillips in LaGrange, Illinois and soon after their marriage, the couple made their home and raised their family in the Milwaukee area. In 1983, Arlene and A.J. relocated to Rapid River where Arlene remained until her health began to fail. A.J. preceded Arlene in death on January 1, 1998. Throughout her life Arlene worked as a homemaker remaining at home to raise her family. Arlene was a member of the Rapid River Post #301 Ladies Auxiliary, she enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and word search, going to ceramics and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include:

3 Sons: Jim (Robin) Phillips of Rapid River, MI; Donald (Carol) Phillips of Gladstone, MI; Scott (Vicky) Phillips of New Berlin, WI

1 Daughter: Deborah Klein of Gladstone, MI

1 Sister: Mary Elizabeth (Payne) Biancaniello of Fort Wayne, Indiana

8 Grandchildren: Tracy (Dan) Helman, Shelli (Rick) Micheau, Jason (Laura) Norman, Nicole Bovin, Jeremy, Brandon, Tyler and Kyle Phillips

13 Great Grandchildren: Vikki, Brittany, Jodi, Daniel, Jacob, Hannah, Joseph, Abigail, Anthony, Nicholas, Gabrielle, Jacob and Sara

Also listed among the surviving family are many nieces, nephews and cousins

In addition to her parents, Clifford and Leona and her husband, A.J., Arlene was preceded in death by 1 brother Robert Payne.

Family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:30AM to 1:30PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Rapid River Post #301 Ladies Auxiliary Rites will be conducted at 1:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial, at 2:00PM, at the All Saints Church with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Parish Hall. Committal will be on Monday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Crystal Falls.