Bayard Phillips
Bayard Phillips
August 16, 1926 – April 23, 2011
Bayard J. Phillips, 84, of New Sharon, Iowa, beloved husband, father and grandfather died Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at New Sharon United Methodist Church with Reverend John Battern officiating. Immediately after the service there will be a fellowship luncheon and following the luncheon there will be a private graveside service with Military Rites for immediate family. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the New Sharon United Methodist Church with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a Masonic service beginning at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to: The New Sharon United Methodist Church or the Hospice Serenity House, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Bayard Joe Phillips was born on Aug. 16, 1926, along with his twin brother, Byron in New Sharon, Iowa, the son of Glen Shroyer and Elnora Pearl (Shaw) Phillips. Upon graduation from New Sharon High School in 1944, he entered the United Stated Navy, graduating from Basic Training at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho. He served honorably on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga in the Pacific Theatre through the end of World War II. For the rest of his life, Bayard maintained pride in his service and a love of the United States Navy. On January 30, 1946 Bayard was joined in marriage to Ruth Eloise Fleming at the United Methodist Church in New Sharon. They recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary at a gathering of family at the Northern Mahaska Care Center where Bayard had been staying since March of 2010. Together, they worked the family farm west of New Sharon, providing a stable home and a wonderful upbringing to 8 children. The farm was recognized as a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair in 1995 and has always been at the center of Bayard and Ruth’s lives. Bayard committed countless hours to the community through his decades as a 4-H Club Leader, service to the North Mahaska FFA Chapter where he was recognized as an honorary Chapter Farmer, as a member of the Coffin-Miller American Legion Post #446, the Masons and the New Sharon United Methodist Church and was deeply involved with the New Sharon and Taintor CO-OPs for many decades. He was the FSA County Director for several years and served on the County Committee in many different roles. He also served on many other community boards in several capacities.
He enjoyed spending many joyful hours on the links, especially in his later years with his favorite foursome and was an active participant in the Prairie Knolls golf league for many years. Bayard enjoyed learning throughout his life, completing classes with Dale Carnegie Training, staying current on farming techniques and maintaining an avid interest in reading. He enjoyed keeping his children on their toes during his and Ruth’s frequent visits to their children’s homes around the country, quizzing them on the local flora. He also made sure his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all had models of his beloved orange Allis-Chalmers tractors.
He was a true steward of the land, feeling a deep attachment to the rich, black earth of Iowa and was an early adopter of no-till and low-impact farming to raise his crops and thus, his family. He took great pride in the farm and enjoyed keeping the homestead buildings maintained and working the trees and garden with Ruth. After his retirement in 1993, Bayard enjoyed seeing his nephews continue his work on the farm, helping out as he could. In 2008, Ruth and Bayard moved into New Sharon, continuing their life together “in town”. One of Bayard’s great joys was attending his children’s, grandchildren’s, niece’s and nephew’s sports and band activities at their high schools and colleges. He and Ruth were a familiar sight at countless football games, basketball, softball and baseball games, and wrestling and track meets at New Sharon High School and North Mahaska High School for over 5 decades. He was a lover of music and especially enjoyed attending the various band, vocal and marching band events of his large family. Bayard loved his family and he loved farming.
He is survived by 8 children, Mary Sharp of New Sharon, Mark (Chris) of Waverly, Iowa, Joel (Tina) of Pasadena, California, Jennifer (Richard) Elliott of Carson, Iowa, Luann (Steve) Swanson of Ollie, Iowa, Julie (George) Maze of Swea City, Iowa, Chanley (Linda) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and John (Kim) of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl, father, Glen, three brothers, Bruce, Wheeler, and his twin brother Byron Phillips, three sisters, Hazel Harry, Rachel VerSteegh, and Silva Trautman and a grandson, Adam Mark Phillips.
Source: Harden Funeral Homes
