Phillip W. Russell, age 66, of Lake Station passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Phillip was born on October 17, 1945 in Chicago, IL and grew up in the South Suburbs. Phillip then moved to Lowell where he was an 11-year member of the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department and EMT. He was very involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years and was a veteran of the US Navy. He was also a former member of the VFW Post #9323 in Lake Station. Phillip was a gifted craftsman and hobbyist and also loved fishing. He will be missed dearly.

Phillip is survived by his 5 children, Jennifer Russell, Christopher (Jody) Russell, Jonathan (Leah) Russell, Kathryn (Jeremy) Thompson, and Jessica Russell; 10 grandchildren, Cassandra and Timothy Obert, Ashley, Justin and Amanda Ortiz, Alexander and Anna Russell, Matthew, William, and Benjamin Thompson; 5 great grandchildren, Alexander, Abbigail, Sarah, Aiden and Riley; 3 brothers, Ralph (Penny) Fischer, Mark and James Russell; 1 sister, Carol (Dennis) Katz-Mouser; other loving family and dear friends.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Daisy and James.

A visitation for Phillip will be Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage, 46368. A funeral service will be Monday, December 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairmont Willow Hills Memorial Park, 9100 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs, IL, at 1:30 p.m. For additional information please call (219) 762-3013 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.