John M. Phillips

Dr. John Milton Phillips, age 92, passed away Friday, September 16, 2016 in Lakeland. Born January 13, 1924 in Jackson, Michigan, he was a retired professor from Michigan State Univeristy, College of Education in East Lansing, MI. John was the Director of the Teacher Education Center in Grand Rapids, MI for 18 years. While at the University he served as a consultant to the American School in Torreon, Mexico, and supervised groups of student teachers in Belize, Central America, for four winter terms. In 1976 he received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Michigan State University. Prior to his tenure with Michigan State, he taught elementary school and served as Director of Elementary Education in St. Joseph, Michigan. He held both elementary and secondary certifications. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western State Teachers College (now Western Michigan University), in 1947, his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan and his Doctorate in Education from Michigan State University in 1969. Additional studies were completed at the University of Biarritz in France, the University of California at Berkley and at the University of Chicago. From 1943-1946 he served with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre with the 11th Armored Division throughout Austria and France including the Battle of the Bulge. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1947, he married Julia Margaret Kosa of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Julia Margaret (Peg) Phillips, two sons: Mark of Ypsilanti, Michigan and Paul and his wife Debbie of Apalachin, N.Y., a granddaughter, Dawn Carsman and her husband Jeremy of Ohio, a great-granddaughter, Julia Carsman and a sister-in-law, Dora Phillips, of Richland, MI. Several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive him. John and Peg relocated to Bartow, Florida in 1989. He was a past member of the Floral Lakes Homeowners Board where he served as president and served as secretary and chaplain of the Floral Lakes Social Club. He and Peg were members of Asbury United Methodist Church where he taught adult Sunday School class and was a member of the Men's Club. He served as president of the Church Service Board of Directors for over a decade where he and his wife were very active and were selected as outstanding volunteers for the year 2001 by center. Graveside services will be held in Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church Service Center, 495 E. Summerlin St. Bartow FL 33830 or Asbury United Methodist Church, 1650 S. Jackson Ave, Bartow, FL 33830