NELLA PHILLIPS, age 80, of Portage, passed away Monday, January 14, 2019.  She was born on April 14, 1938 in Sparta, TN.  Nella had been a longtime Northwest Indiana resident and retired from Greenwald Surgical after many years of service.  She was a faithful member of Portage Missionary Church.  Nella will be remembered as loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki (Tony) DeLeon of Valparaiso; son, Steven (Jamie) Phillips of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Tony (Steffanie) DeLeon, Shaun (Melissa) Simmons, Betty (Brian) Trosper, Joshua Phillips, Nicole (Tim) Ballard, Danni Drolc, and Chloe Drolc; great grandchildren, Sophia DeLeon, Michael Simmons, Ayden Simmons, Peyton Ballard, Parker Simmons, Timothy Ballard, Brien Rissman and Sara Rissman; brothers-in-law, Wayne Simmons and Eugene Phillips; nephew, Billy (Susan) Phillips; niece, Shari (Rodney) Baker; other loving family and friends.

Nella was preceded in death by her husband of almost 48 years, Billy Phillips; her parents, James and Mary Lou Usrey; and sister, Wilma Simmons.

A visitation for Nella will be Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 2:00 until the time of service at 6:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd. Services in Tennessee will take place Friday, January 18, 2019 with visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. at Hunters Funeral Home, 120 E. Bockman Way, Sparta, TN.  Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. For information, please call (219) 942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com .