Portia Elaine Phillips, 79, of rural Kenton, OH died 5:50 p.m. Sunday December 13, 2015 at St. Marys Living Center.

She was born October 4, 1936 in Mansfield, OH to Ralph and Helen (Roberts) Steele. On August 15, 1957 in Portland, IN she married Don Eldon Phillips, who died January 10, 1993.

Survivors include: daughter Juli (JD) Clark of St. Marys, OH; son Don E. (Kris) Phillips, II of Greenville, SC; 6 grandchildren: Jaeleen (Brad) DeHays, Jolene (Lee) Spector, Jared (Brittany) Clark, Don E. Phillips III, Jacob (Carrie) Phillips, Tylor (Raven) Phillips; 13 great-grandchildren; brother Jerry Steele of St. Marys, OH.

Preceded in death by: parents Ralph and Helen Steele; husband Don Eldon Phillips; great-granddaughter Portia DeHays; sister Marjorie Brodbeck; sister Carole Miller.

She was a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School (Class of 1954), Lima Memorial School of Nursing (R.N.) and St. Joseph's College (BSN). A registered nurse, she worked for the Hardin Co. Health Department in Kenton for 35 years, retiring as Director of Nursing.

She was a member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church in Hardin Co. and Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys. Her favorite pastimes included reading, traveling and keeping up-to-date on public health issues. Above all, Portia enjoyed spending time with her family.

Rites are scheduled to begin 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 17, 2015 at Price – McElroy Funeral Home 123 N. Main Street in Kenton, OH. The Rev. Mark Bishop and the Rev. Mark Burden will co-officiate the service. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, near Belle Center, OH.

Visitation 4 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Kenton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed to the family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net.

Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Funeral Homes in St. Marys.