Service Time:  10:00 A.M.
Day and Date:  Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Location:  Otterbein United Methodist Church - Russell
Guest Book Registration:  9 AM to  8 PM on Monday, July 27, 2009 at the mortuary.
Family Greeting Visitors: 6 PM to 7 PM on Monday, July 27th at the mortuary.
Burial:  Amhearst Cemetery
Memorial:  Otterbein United Methodist Church - Russell

Ruth Elizabeth Phillips, 78 of Russell, died Friday, July 24, 2009 at the Salina Regional Hospital.  Ruth was born November 19, 1930 in her grandpa and grandma Wyckoff’s home in the Amherst community, the daughter of Rudy and Thelma (Wyckoff) Motzner.  She grew up in the Amherst community and graduated from Waldo High School.

Ruth was united in marriage to Kenneth Phillips on December 9, 1948 in Woodston, Kansas.  This union was blessed with three children; Carla, Elizabeth and Paul.  They lived in the Amherst area until 1974 when they moved to Russell.

Ruth was a devoted wife and homemaker.  When she moved to Russell she worked for the Russell County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher from 1974 thru the late 90’s.

Ruth was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church of Russell where she was active in the choir and bible studies.  She enjoyed sewing, doing crafts, crossword puzzles, painting with water colors and oil paints, playing and teaching piano.

Surviving family include her husband of 60 years,  Kenneth of the home; daughters, Carla Batt of Victoria, Kansas and Elizabeth Langdon and husband Rick of DeSoto, Kansas; son, Paul Phillips and wife Glenda of Russell; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law Larry Batt.

Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Otterbein United Methodist Church of Russell with Rev. Earl Haggard officiating.  Interment will follow at the Amherst Cemetery south of Waldo.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday, July 27, 2009 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established with Otterbein United Methodist Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.