Sidney J. Phillips, 98, U.S. Army Veteran

He was born March 17, 1919 in Lorain and was a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Sidney graduated from Lorain High School with the class of 1937A. He served for 4 1/2 years with the US Army during World War II as a member of the 774th Tank Destroyer Battalion with the Third Army Division under General George Patton. His unit received five battle citations in the European campaign.

Sidney worked at TRW Nelson Stud Welding as an Industrial Engineer retiring after 38 years. He was a certified manufacturing engineer and a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

He was a member of Hungarian Reformed United Church of Christ in Lorain where he was a past officer and honorary member of the Church Consistory for many years of service.

Sidney was active in local baseball in the 1930’s-1940’s playing with the Verhovy ball club. He enjoyed close family ties, his grandchildren, playing golf, reading and was an avid baseball and football fan.

He is survived by his son Stanley Phillips of Avon Lake, daughter Kathy Bidefeld (Branko) of Kennesaw, Georgia; grandchildren: Seth Ford (Jessica) of Marietta, Georgia and Erin Gilley (Blake) of Roswell, Georgia; step grandchildren: David, Matthew and Steven Bidefeld and great grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Ford and Victoria Rose Ford. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Elizabeth “Betty” Phillips (nee Abrahamowicz) in 2010, granddaughter Dawn Marie Phillips, parents Stephen & Mary Phillips (nee Filep), sisters: Margaret Nieding, Yola Rosza and Irene Popov and brother Steven Phillips.

Private family services were held Wednesday May 31st in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. The Rev. Peter Toth, pastor of Hungarian Reformed UCC in Lorain, presided. Burial was in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hungarian Reformed United Church of Christ, 1691 E. 31st St, Lorain, OH. 44055 or Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Rd, Suite #270, Valley View, OH. 44125.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.