Obituary of Lanson Phillips

Charles "Lanson" Phillips, 96, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at The Bluffs, a skilled care facility in Columbia, Missouri. Lanson moved to Columbia to be closer to his daughter, in February of 2009 due to health concerns. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 4 at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Missouri. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3 at Edwards Funeral Home. Lanson was born on May 15, 1913, in Poplar Bluff to William Lanson and Verle Lindell Phillips. After working during his boyhood years at various jobs including delivering newspapers, he found employment at Irby's Market and later at Clyde Hogg's Market, where he trained to become a butcher. Lanson married Jewel McElyea on October 18, 1938, and they moved from Poplar Bluff to Doniphan, where he opened the City Market in 1941. Lanson served in the Army from September 17, 1943 to December 6, 1945, in the European Theatre during World War II. He was part of the 1st Special Service Force, which disbanded near the end of the war and group formed the 474th Infantry Regiment. After the war, he returned to Doniphan and continued in the grocery business. On August 2, 1947, his wife Jewell died. He remained in Doniphan and continued operating his grocery business. On October 10, 1948, he married Tommie Holt Sjolander, and they were married until Tommie's death September 28, 1993. He expanded the City Market and bought the Smith Grocery in 1948. For two years he operated two grocery stores in Doniphan until he combined them in 1950 to form the Phillips' IGA Market. Also in 1950 Lanson and Tommie built a new home in Doniphan, where he lived until moving to Columbia. In 1954 he expanded again, moving his business to the building north of the courthouse where he continued to operate as Phillips IGA Supermarket. On November 2, 1965 he built the IGA Foodliner northwest of the courthouse, which he operated until his retirement. Lanson received recognition in Doniphan as Man of the Year in 1962. He served as Doniphan Finance Chairman for 5 years and served on the School Board for 3 years. Lanson was a former member of Kiwanis Club, organizing the first Pancake Day of many that followed. He also served for multiple years on the Selective Service Board. Lanson was a member of the First Baptist Church and participated actively in the church for many years, serving on the Building Committee. He reorganized the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce and was elected the first president. Lanson was a member of the Ripley County Wildlife Conservation Club and was an avid quail hunter. He was the prime organizer of the Bird Dog Field Trials and showed prize-winning bird dogs for many years. Lanson was a sports enthusiast and especially enjoyed playing golf. In his later years he put his energy into taking care of flowers in his yard, and he received recognition several times for having the Yard of the Month. Survivors include his daughter Susan Phillips of Columbia, MO; step-daughter Jane Sjolander Phillips of Oakland, CA; sister Verle and brother-in-law George Hackenyos of Sierra Vista, AZ; niece Sally Kobert and husband Richard Carlson of Cumberland, Rhode Island; niece JoAnne Loftus of Kansas City, MO; niece Rhonda Hackenyos McQuarrie of Page, AZ; nephew David and wife Kathy Hackenyos of Corvallis, OR; nephew Don and wife Barbara Morse of Independence, MO; and great-niece Melanie Morse and husband Rich Witaszak of Kansas City, KS. Besides his wife Tommie, Lanson was preceded in death by sisters Emma Morse, Alene Dickerson, Veda Bristow, and Foneda Loftus, brothers George Phillips and James Stephen Phillips and nephews Robert Morse, Kenneth Bristow and Ronald Bristow. Burial will be at the Doniphan City Cemetery in Doniphan. Memorials may be made in Lanson's name to First Baptist Church Building Fund or the Ripley County Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. Online condolences may be made at www.edwardsfuneralhome.org.